Courts / Dublin / Report
Mum told gardai she had gun for self protection after threat to life
Summary
Niamh Fitzpatrick, 39, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing a Smith & Wesson revolver found in an air vent in her Ringsend home on February 23, 2017. The firearm, which contained one round of ammunition, was seized by gardaí during a search for drugs, where over €4,200 of heroin was also recovered. Fitzpatrick admitted to gardaí that she kept the gun for self-protection following a threat to her life, a claim supported by Garda Michelle Fitzpatrick, who confirmed colleagues had served GIM forms notifying Fitzpatrick of the threat, though it had since expired. Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL highlighted Fitzpatrick's history of trauma, including abduction and violent attack, which he stated caused profound Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He noted her 21 previous convictions, mostly minor road traffic offences, and argued she was now drug-free apart from prescribed medication. Spencer requested a lengthy suspended sentence to reflect the offence's seriousness while acknowledging her regret and support from her father. Judge Melanie Greally did not pass sentence immediately. Instead, she remanded Fitzpatrick on continuing bail pending her sentencing hearing scheduled for July.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mum told gardai she had gun for self protection after threat to life. Charges or matters: possessing a Smith & Wesson revolver in an air vent in her home on February 23, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 23, 2017 Incident
- 2018-06-19 Publication
Why: Credit: Collins) A Dublin mother who told gardaí she had a gun for self protection because of a threat on her life will be sentenced in July for possessing the firearm. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possessing a Smith & Wesson revolver in an air vent in her home on February 23, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) A Dublin mother who told gardaí she had a gun for self protection because of a threat on her life will be sentenced in July for possessing the firearm. Counsel asked the judge to reflect the serious nature of the offence in a lengthy suspended sentence.; Judge Greally told the court she would consider the case and remanded Fitzpatrick on continuing bail pending her sentence in July.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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