Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen with 40 previous convictions fired stolen shotgun

Summary

A 17‑year‑old, who cannot be named under the Children Act, was sentenced to two years' detention for firing a stolen Winchester Super Grade 12‑gauge double‑barrel shotgun into bushes along the Grand Canal in Dublin. The youth, who had pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen firearm and 39 cartridges on 31 August, admitted he fired the gun because he was "bored and 17 years of age." Gardaí had observed him raising the gun in front of CCTV cameras, pursued him, and seized the weapon and ammunition. The gun had been stolen from its owner's unlocked car a month earlier. The defendant has 40 prior convictions, including assault, robbery, drug misuse, theft and criminal damage. The judge, noting his young age, immaturity and difficult upbringing, set a headline sentence of six years but, under the Children Act, imposed a two‑year detention followed by two years of probation with conditions on addiction, training and employment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen with 40 previous convictions fired stolen shotgun. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 31 Incident
• 2018-12-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report