Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen who had firearms knowledge from playing 'Call of Duty' is jailed for holding powerful machine-gun
Summary
Mark Skelly, a 19‑year‑old father from Dublin, pleaded guilty to possessing a Mac‑10 machine gun, ammunition and a silencer at his father's home in Ballyfermot on 21 May 2019. The weapon, capable of firing 1,140 rounds per minute, was found in a wheelie bin and was described as rare and no longer manufactured. Skelly had no prior convictions. He admitted to having knowledge of firearms from playing the computer game "Call of Duty" and claimed he had not discharged the gun. He was sentenced to five and a half years, with the final two years suspended on the condition of a bond to keep the peace, good behaviour for two years, 12 months of probation supervision and engagement with any recommended treatment. The judge noted his youth, drug‑free status, family support and previous good character.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen who had firearms knowledge from playing 'Call of Duty' is jailed for holding powerful machine-gun. 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:
- May 21, 2019 Incident
- 2020-07-21 Publication
Why: Credit: Collins) A young father who was holding a rare and powerful machine gun in order to pay off a drug debt has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years. CNI source report
Case subjects
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: Judge Karen O'Connor suspended the final two years of a five and half year sentence on condition that Skelly enter into a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years, that he remain under supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months and engage with any treatment recommended by them. At a sentence hearing earlier this month, Det Gda Donoghue said that Skelly admitted that he had previously discharged the gun but wouldn't give the gardaí "any specifics".
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