Courts / Dublin / Report

"Trusted" gang member caught with loaded gun in inner city

Date
2019-04-09

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Paul Beatty, 32, was arrested in Dublin's north inner city with a loaded .38 special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver wrapped in a plastic bag. He had previously admitted unlawful possession of a firearm in 2018 and had a seven‑year sentence from 2010 for the same offence. Beatty was under surveillance after Garda confidential information indicated firearm activity. On 2 June 2018, while cycling along the Royal Canal, he was observed by Garda Damien Broughan, who pursued him. Beatty fled, threw the bag onto a footpath, and was tackled by the detective. The bag contained the revolver and five rounds of ammunition. Ballistics confirmed the gun was in good condition but its serial number was obliterated. Beatty denied the offence during interviews. He has 71 prior convictions, including endangerment, drug possession and dangerous driving. The court noted he was an "important and trusted member" of an organised crime gang. Paul Beatty pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Trusted" gang member caught with loaded gun in inner city. Charges or matters: the same offence of possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances in 2010 and received a seven year sentence, said Insp Brennan. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 2, 2018 Incident
June 2 Other
May 28 Adjournment
2019-04-09 Publication

Case subjects

Paul Beatty

Convicted Person

Charges: the same offence of possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances in 2010 and received a seven year sentence, said Insp Brennan (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The court also heard that Beatty was jailed for seven years in 2010 for same offence of possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Beatty in custody until May 28, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Beatty in custody until May 28, when he will be sentenced.