Courts / Limerick / Report

Gun "cocked and ready to be fired", prosecution tells trial

Date
2019-06-25

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing, prosecutors argued that two Limerick men, John O'Donoghue (29) and Paul Whelan (25), were in possession of a 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol that was cocked, loaded and ready to fire, indicating intent to endanger life. The case was built on evidence from an Alfa Romeo seized by Gardaí, which contained the loaded handgun, eight rounds in the magazine, a round in the breach, two petrol canisters (one containing petrol), a pair of latex gloves, clothing and cocaine. The prosecution claimed the men had taken "serious precautions" to avoid leaving forensic traces and suggested a plan to destroy evidence by burning the car. Defence counsel countered that the presence of ammunition in the breach was not proof of a cocked gun and that the items could have been used for other criminal purposes, such as robbery. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty. Paul Whelan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gun "cocked and ready to be fired", prosecution tells trial. Charges or matters: possession of a 9mm Colt, semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Park Road, Limerick on July 30, 2018. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

July 30, 2018 Incident
July 30 Incident
2019-06-25 Publication

Why: The firearm was not intended to be used as a threat, it was in order to injure someone and that is the inescapable conclusion from the circumstances in the case, said Mr McGinn. CNI source report

Case subjects

John O'Donoghue

Defendant

Charges: possession of a 9mm Colt, semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Park Road, Limerick on July 30, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Paul Whelan

Defendant

Charges: possession of a 9mm Colt, semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Park Road, Limerick on July 30, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty