Courts / Dublin / Report

IRA member jailed for ordering grenades from Dark Net

Summary

Darren Gleeson, 35, of Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) at the Special Criminal Court. He had ordered two grenades via the Dark Net, paying with Bitcoin under the alias "guilleoteen." The package was intercepted and delivered to his girlfriend's address on 18 May 2017. Gleeson signed the DHL receipt as "Darren Kinsella" and accepted the inert grenades, carrying a Stanley knife. Gardaí arrested him that day and he was later taken to Finglas Garda Station. He had a history of four burglaries and two robberies but no prior unlawful‑organisation convictions. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Judge Sinead Ni Chúlacháin and Judge Cormac Dunne, sentenced him to three years and six months' imprisonment, back‑dated to 18 May 2017. The sentence reflected the potential harm of the explosives and his guilty plea, with mitigating factors including cooperation and family circumstances. The maximum penalty was eight years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: IRA member jailed for ordering grenades from Dark Net. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 18th, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 18 Other
• 2017-12-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report