Courts / Dublin / Report

Accused forcibly removed from car where loaded handgun found

Summary

During a Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 July 2020, the trial of Edward McDonnell, 55, of Waterside Apartments, New Ross, was presented. McDonnell pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a Grand Power G9 semi‑automatic pistol and to having the weapon with intent to endanger life. Garda Joseph Enright testified that he had observed a silver Toyota Avensis driven by Stephen Little, 46, on 11 September 2019, and that a loaded handgun was found under the passenger seat of the vehicle the day before McDonnell was forcibly removed. Enright also described items that fell from McDonnell's lap upon arrest, including baseball hats, balaclavas, gloves, a red petrol can and a long‑handled lighter. The court heard that a surveillance operation, led by Detective Inspector Noel Browne, had been underway in north Dublin from 11 September, culminating in the discovery of the firearm and related items. The trial was scheduled to continue on Thursday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused forcibly removed from car where loaded handgun found. Charges or matters: being in unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol namely a Grand Power G9, and having the weapon with intent to endanger life at Lein Park, Harmonstown, Dublin 5 on September 14, 2019; unlawful possession of a Grand Power G9 semi-automatic pistol at Lein Park, Harmonstown, Dublin 5, on 14 September 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 14, 2019 Incident
• September 11, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 14 September 2019 Incident
• September 12, 2019 Other
• September 14 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2020-07-07 Publication

Why: Under cross-examination, Gda Enright agreed with Michael Bowman SC, for Mr McDonnell, that he was part of an intelligence led operation because of serious concern that there was serious criminality around the Dublin 5 area. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report