Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence over handguns stashed in Henry Hoover
Summary
A 45-year-old man from Carndonagh has received a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of firearms. Stephen O'Connor was convicted of holding two semi-automatic pistols and ammunition concealed in a Henry Hoover vacuum cleaner at his home on 7 September 2019. During sentencing, the court heard that O'Connor, described as vulnerable and struggling with mental health difficulties, had been approached repeatedly by a criminal acquaintance and agreed to store the weapons to "get them off his back". A search of a van behind his residence uncovered the loaded handguns, which were found to be in working order. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full for four years, subject to strict conditions. The judge acknowledged O'Connor's vulnerabilities and lack of previous convictions while noting the offence occurred during significant gangland activity in Dublin. He was ordered to sever all contact with persons involved in criminal activity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence over handguns stashed in Henry Hoover. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of firearms at his address on September 7, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 7, 2019 Incident
- 2021-05-10 Publication
Why: Stephen O'Connor (45) was approached by a criminal figure while he was "incredibly vulnerable" and agreed to hold onto the firearms in order to "get them off his back", Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: unlawful possession of firearms at his address on September 7, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) By Brion Hoban & Isabel Hayes A vulnerable man who agreed to hold two handguns stashed inside a Henry Hoover at the height of gangland activity in Dublin has been given a suspended sentence. She handed down a four-year sentence but suspended it on a number of strict conditions for a period of four years.
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