Courts / Tipperary / Report
Sentence for having explosives and handgun is upheld
Summary
The Court of Appeal has upheld the prison sentence of Dylan Cahill, a 24-year-old from Lower Irishtown, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, who pleaded guilty to serious firearms and explosives offences. Cahill admitted to possessing a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol and four rounds of ammunition, as well as two improvised explosive devices, or pipe-bombs, at Sradrine, Glefarne, Co Leitrim, on May 13, 2015. These admissions were made at the non-jury Special Criminal Court, where Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and James Faughnan, sentenced him to six years in prison, with the final year suspended. The appeal, heard by President Mr Justice George Birmingham alongside Ms Justice Máire Whelan and Ms Justice Marie Baker, was dismissed. Mr Justice Birmingham stated there was no basis to suggest the mandatory minimum sentence for firearm possession constituted an error in principle. He characterized the carrying of a semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, and a pipe bomb in furtherance of the activities of the IRA as a very serious offence. Consequently, the Court of Appeal confirmed the original disposal, maintaining the effective custody period and suspended portion as originally imposed by the Special Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentence for having explosives and handgun is upheld. Charges or matters: the possession of a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol and four rounds of .380 calibre ammunition at Sradrine, Glefarne, Co Leitrim on May 13th, 2015; the possession of two improvised explosive devices, or pipe-bombs, at the same place on the same date. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 13th, 2015 Incident
- 2018-10-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the possession of a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol and four rounds of .380 calibre ammunition at Sradrine, Glefarne, Co Leitrim on May 13th, 2015; the possession of two improvised explosive devices, or pipe-bombs, at the same place on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding alongside Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, sentenced Cahill to six years in prison, with the final year suspended. The Court of Appeal upheld Cahill's sentence today.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- The Special Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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