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Pair disguised with false beards have "very lenient" firearms sentence upheld
Summary
In 2016, Michael Finlay, 37, of Maplewood Road, Tallaght, and Dean Byrne, 25, of Drumcairn Park, Tallaght, were convicted by the Special Criminal Court of unlawful possession of a loaded 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and magazine, and of 9mm ammunition, after a surveillance operation on a Renault Kango van. The van, previously stolen, was being followed when a Garda approached with a firearm drawn. Finlay was seen holding the pistol and complied with the Garda's request to drop it. Both men wore false beards and sunglasses; Finlay wore an An Post jacket. They pleaded not guilty, no contest, and the court entered not‑guilty pleas on their behalf. They were sentenced to five years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, noting that the men's cooperation, lack of use of the firearm, and good character justified a reduction from the original eight‑year headline. The appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions was dismissed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair disguised with false beards have "very lenient" firearms sentence upheld. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre semi-automatic pistol and magazine; possession of various rounds of 9mm calibre semi-automatic ammunition. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- June 5th, 2014 Incident
- July 1, 2016 Incident
- 2017-02-24 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre semi-automatic pistol and magazine; possession of various rounds of 9mm calibre semi-automatic ammunition (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; They were both sentenced to five years imprisonment by the three-judge court on July 1, 2016.
Appellant
Charges: unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre semi-automatic pistol and magazine; possession of various rounds of 9mm calibre semi-automatic ammunition (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; They were both sentenced to five years imprisonment by the three-judge court on July 1, 2016.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Special Criminal Court
- Maplewood Road
- Tallaght
- Drumcairn Park
- Glenshane Crescent
- Tallaght
Topics
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