Courts / Dublin / Report

DNA linked man to revolver found in blood-stained bag

Date
2019-01-24
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Rathcoole
County
Dublin

Summary

Sean Ruth, 29, of Rathangan, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing a .38 Special Rossi revolver and a 9mm round of ammunition. The court heard that DNA evidence linked Ruth to the revolver found in a blood-stained bag at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin, on January 24, 2017. Prosecution counsel Paul Burns SC stated the maximum sentence for each count is seven years. In mitigation, defense counsel Dominic McGinn SC highlighted Ruth's early guilty plea, which saved the court significant time, and noted that the weapon was not loaded. Mr McGinn also cited support from Ruth's family and courses completed in custody. Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh, remanded Ruth in custody until February 8, when he will be sentenced. The matter was adjourned. Jonathan Harding, 45, of Sallins, Co Kildare, and James Walsh, 33, of Clondalkin, Dublin 22, previously pleaded guilty to possessing nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle, and ammunition magazines at the same location. 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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: DNA linked man to revolver found in blood-stained bag. Charges or matters: 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:

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

Defendant

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: Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, remanded Ruth in custody until February 8, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, remanded Ruth in custody until February 8, when he will be sentenced.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Greenogue Business Park
  • Grants Drive
Garda Station
  • was detained at Clondlakin Garda Station
Incident
  • Greenogue Business Park

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

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