Courts / Dublin / Report
Dublin man caught walking near airport with realistic imitation AK-47
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Eoin Berkeley, aged 24, was sentenced to two and a half years for possessing a realistic imitation AK‑47 rifle in a public place. Gardaí had received several reports of a man walking near Dublin Airport and Santry with what appeared to be a firearm. When approached on Northwood Avenue, Berkeley claimed the gun was fake, but the device was later identified as an airgun capable of firing 6mm ball bearings. He had pleaded guilty to the offence on 29 May 2016 and had 24 prior convictions from 2013 to 2017. Berkeley had been in custody for 18 months on this charge, and the judge, citing the seriousness of the offence and his extensive criminal record, imposed the sentence while crediting the time already served. The court noted that possession of an imitation firearm is not a trivial matter and must be treated seriously.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dublin man caught walking near airport with realistic imitation AK-47. Charges or matters: possessing a realistic firearm in a public place on May 29, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 29, 2016 Incident
- 2013 to 2017 Other
- 2018-06-19 Publication
Why: Mr Fitzgerald submitted to Judge Melanie Greally that his client had been placed into a foster home when he was four years old because his mother had her own difficulties. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing a realistic firearm in a public place on May 29, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a two and a half year sentence with credit given to the time Berkeley has spent in custody on the matter.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Northwood Avenue
- Hamptonwood Way
- Dublin
Topics
Airport Incidents Firearms Stage Sentence
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.