Courts / Limerick / Report

Sentence increase for man who fired sawn-off shotgun at group

Date
2017-02-20

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

In 2015, Jason Freyne, 25, was convicted in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of possessing a firearm and ammunition. He received an eight‑year sentence, with two‑and‑a‑half years suspended, on 6 May 2016. The Court of Appeal, following a prosecutor's appeal that the sentence was too lenient, increased his term to ten years, keeping the same suspended portion. The appeal judge, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, described Freyne's conduct: he had loaded a sawn‑off shotgun, carried it in a backpack, wore a bullet‑proof vest, and rode a bicycle around Hyde Road. He then approached a group, fired the shotgun, injuring Mr Joseph McCarthy. Freyne had earlier convictions for vehicle theft, knife possession, stolen property, criminal damage and traffic offences. The court noted his progress in prison and his claim that the feud behind the offence was over. Jason Freyne pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sentence increase for man who fired sawn-off shotgun at group. Charges or matters: possession of a firearm and ammunition at Hyde Road, Limerick on May 9, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

May 9, 2015 Incident
May 6, 2016 Incident
2017-02-20 Publication

Why: In contending that Freyne's sentence was "unduly lenient", counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Timothy O'Sullivan BL, submitted that the value of Freyne's guilty plea was reduced because he was faced with coercive evidence. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Jason Freyne

Appellant

Charges: possession of a firearm and ammunition at Hyde Road, Limerick on May 9, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with the final two-and-a-half suspended by Judge Tom O'Donnell on May 6, 2016. He was re-sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with the final two-and-a-half suspended by the Court of Appeal.