Courts / Dublin / Report
Firearms pair caught wearing two sets of clothes
Summary
Derek Byrne, aged 38, was arrested in December 2019 with a loaded semi‑automatic pistol, ammunition, gloves, a balaclava and a burner phone, items he claimed were for intimidation. The firearm and ammunition were incompatible, so they could not inflict injury on that occasion. Byrne and co‑accused Phillip McBride, aged 43, were both wearing two sets of clothing when apprehended. Byrne pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and has 78 prior convictions, including drug possession, public order and traffic offences. He was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, with 18 months suspended, after the judge considered mitigating factors such as progress in custody for drug addiction. McBride will be sentenced on 14 January next year. The case involved a surveillance operation that led to Byrne leaving his home with a bag, driving a BMW with McBride, and a subsequent chase that ended on a grass verge where the gun was found.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Firearms pair caught wearing two sets of clothes. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition at N4, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, on December 3, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 3, 2019 Incident
- January 14 Incident
- 2021-11-16 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition at N4, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, on December 3, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Taking into account a number of mitigating factors, including the fact Byrne has made progress in custody in relation to his drug addiction, she handed down a sentence of seven and a half years with the final 18 months suspended.
Convicted Person
Outcome: Phillip McBride (43) of Cedar Grove, Swords will be sentenced on January 14 next year, after the court heard he could not be produced from prison today.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence
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