Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen (19) had firearms knowledge from playing Call of Duty

Date
2020-06-30
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Mark Skelly, aged 19, was found in possession of a rare Mac‑10 machine pistol, ammunition and a silencer at his father's home in Ballyfermot on 21 May 2019. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the firearm. The weapon, capable of firing 1,140 rounds per minute, was discovered in a wheelie bin. Skelly claimed he had a "level of knowledge" about firearms from playing the computer game Call of Duty, and admitted having discharged the gun previously, though he did not provide details. He had no prior convictions, left school at 15, and had begun abusing cocaine and cannabis. The court remanded him in custody pending sentencing on 21 July, revoking his bail. The case was adjourned for sentencing, with the prosecution noting the high‑velocity nature of the weapon and the defendant's drug‑related debt as key factors in the prosecution's case.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen (19) had firearms knowledge from playing Call of Duty. Charges or matters: possession of a Mac-10 firearm, ammunition and a silencer at his father's home in Ballyfermot on May 21, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Mark Skelly (19), who was holding the gun in order to pay off a drug debt, has been remanded in custody pending sentence. CNI source report

Case subjects

Mark Skelly

Defendant

Charges: possession of a Mac-10 firearm, ammunition and a silencer at his father's home in Ballyfermot on May 21, 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mark Skelly (19), who was holding the gun in order to pay off a drug debt, has been remanded in custody pending sentence.; Mark Skelly (19), who was holding the gun in order to pay off a drug debt, has been remanded in custody pending sentence.

Places mentioned

Facility
  • Bulfin House
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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