Courts / Dublin / Report

Man acquitted of having loaded handgun at Stardust Memorial

Date
2020-07-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Paul Norton, 31, was found not guilty of unlawfully possessing a loaded Beretta handgun and 31 rounds of 9mm ammunition at Stardust Memorial Park in Coolock on 5 October 2019. The Special Criminal Court judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, noted that the prosecution's case relied solely on the testimony of Detective Garda Flynn, who claimed Norton was the driver of a VW Passat that was chased by Gardaí and that Norton allegedly dropped a bag containing the weapon and ammunition. The judge highlighted the lack of DNA evidence and the absence of positive identification of Norton as the person who dropped the gun. He concluded that the evidence did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Norton was in possession of the firearm at the park, and therefore acquitted him of the charges.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man acquitted of having loaded handgun at Stardust Memorial. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun and 31 rounds of 9mm ammunition at the Stardust Memorial Park in Coolock, Dublin on October 5, 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 5, 2019 Incident
2020-07-03 Publication

Case subjects

Paul Norton

Defendant

Charges: the unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun and 31 rounds of 9mm ammunition at the Stardust Memorial Park in Coolock, Dublin on October 5, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty