Courts / Kildare / Report

Failure to find assault rifle during search "inconceivable", defence say

Date
2019-04-02
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Sallins
County
Kildare

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC argued that it was "inconceivable" that Gardaí would have missed an assault rifle and ammunition during a search of a Kildare house on 24 January 2017. He cited the fact that a landlord's nephew later found a rifle, ammunition and drugs in the base of a bed, four days after the Gardaí search. Michael Brady (54) is charged with possession of €1.5 million worth of cocaine, €1.26 million worth of heroin and over 180 rounds of ammunition at a property in Sallins, Co Kildare. He pleaded not guilty to all seven counts. The court found him not guilty of possessing an assault rifle and the State withdrew a charge of three ammunition magazines. Brady's brother, Declan Brady (52), pleaded guilty to possession of 15 firearms and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Michael Brady was acquitted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Failure to find assault rifle during search "inconceivable", defence say. Charges or matters: possessing €1.5 million worth of cocaine and €1.26 million worth of heroin and more than 180 rounds of ammunition at a property at Sallins Bridge, in Sallins, Co Kildare on January 24, 2017; all seven counts on the indictment; possessing 15 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin on January 24, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

Case subjects

Michael Brady

Accused

Charges: possessing €1.5 million worth of cocaine and €1.26 million worth of heroin and more than 180 rounds of ammunition at a property at Sallins Bridge, in Sallins, Co Kildare on January 24, 2017; all seven counts on the indictment; possessing 15 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin on January 24, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; He is awaiting sentence.; Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, remanded Michael Brady in custody until June 19, when the court will deliver judgement on the case.

Places mentioned

Facility
Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Greenogue Business Park

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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