Courts / Kildare / Report

DNA evidence links man to Ford Focus with "secret ammunition compartment"

Date
2019-01-21

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

Sean Ruth, 29, of Rathangan, Co Kildare, pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court to charges of unlawful possession of a .38 Special Rossi revolver and a 9mm round of ammunition. Prosecutors allege these items were linked to a search at Greenogue Business Park on January 24, 2017, where Jonathan Harding and James Walsh were found. Harding and Walsh previously pleaded guilty to possessing nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle, and ammunition at the site. In January 2018, Harding was sentenced to ten years in prison with one year suspended, while Walsh received nine years with one year suspended. The prosecution contends that DNA evidence recovered from a blood-stained bag containing the revolver, a glove with a 9mm round, and a Ford Focus with a secret ammunition compartment matches Ruth. Counsel stated that Ruth's DNA also matched bloodstains on the car and a radio transmitter. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, Judge Gerard Griffin, and Judge David McHugh, is ongoing and was adjourned to resume the following day.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: DNA evidence links man to Ford Focus with "secret ammunition compartment". Charges or matters: unlawful possession of a .38 Special Calibre "Rossi" revolver at a place unknown within the State between January 1, 2016 and January 24, 2017, both dates inclusive; the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the unit in Greenogue Business Park on January 24, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 1, 2016 Incident
January 24, 2017 Incident
January 2018 Incident
May 7, 2017 Incident
2019-01-21 Publication

Case subjects

James Walsh

Convicted Person

Charges: the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the unit in Greenogue Business Park on January 24, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: In January 2018, Harding was sentenced to ten years in prison with one year suspended and Walsh was sentenced to nine years in prison with one year suspended.

Jonathan Harding

Convicted Person

Charges: the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the unit in Greenogue Business Park on January 24, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Sean Ruth

Accused

Charges: unlawful possession of a .38 Special Calibre "Rossi" revolver at a place unknown within the State between January 1, 2016 and January 24, 2017, both dates inclusive; the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the unit in Greenogue Business Park on January 24, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty