Courts / Dublin / Report

"Serious criminal" used vulnerable girl (17) to store gun and ammo

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 19‑year‑old woman named Tia Byrne pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of firearms. Gardaí discovered a handgun wrapped in socks and five live .38 Smith and Western rounds in a drawer while executing a drug search warrant. Byrne admitted that a man had left the gun after delivering cannabis and claimed she was under pressure and felt threatened. She handed two handwritten notes to officers stating she was scared for her family. The court noted Byrne's age, lack of maturity, and a dysfunctional family background. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a three‑year prison sentence, requiring good behaviour and engagement with Probation Services. The case highlighted concerns about vulnerable individuals being exploited by serious criminals in Dublin's inner city.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Serious criminal" used vulnerable girl (17) to store gun and ammo. Charges or matters: two counts of unlawful possession of firearms at her home on February 18, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 18, 2018 Incident
• 2020-01-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report