Courts / Dublin / Report

Man caught with firearm after going into "emotional tailspin" at death of "close friend" David Byrne

Date
2017-03-30

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In March 2017, Richard O'Reilly, aged 32, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after Gardaí seized a Glock semi‑automatic pistol and ammunition from his vehicle during a surveillance operation. O'Reilly, who had been grieving the death of his close friend David Byrne, pleaded guilty to possession of the weapon in suspicious circumstances. He claimed the loss of Byrne was the sole trigger for his possession of the gun, stating he had no financial motive and that the offence was not gang‑related. The judge noted O'Reilly's lack of prior convictions, good work record and cooperation with Gardaí as mitigating factors, but inferred from the evidence that he intended to use the weapon if the opportunity arose. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest. O'Reilly had previously been convicted of possession of stolen property and had been in custody since his arrest. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man caught with firearm after going into "emotional tailspin" at death of "close friend" David Byrne. Charges or matters: possession of the weapon in suspicious circumstances at Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown on June 18, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 18, 2016 Incident
2017-03-30 Publication

Why: " Byrne agreed with gardai that he was in the position he was in because grief had left him in place where he felt that this was the only way out. CNI source report

Case subjects

Richard O'Reilly

Defendant

Charges: possession of the weapon in suspicious circumstances at Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown on June 18, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said it was a very serious case by reason of what he could infer of O'Reilly's intention and imposed a six year sentence which he backdated to the date O'Reilly went into custody on his arrest.