Courts / Dublin / Report
Cocaine addict was wearing two sets of clothes when caught with loaded gun
Summary
Phillip McBride, aged 44, was arrested with a loaded semi‑automatic handgun, ammunition, gloves, a balaclava and a burner phone. He and his co‑accused Derek Byrne were both wearing two sets of clothing at the time of arrest. McBride pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition on 3 December 2019. He has six prior convictions for road traffic offences and no prior violent convictions. Byrne, aged 38, had 78 prior convictions, including drug possession and public order offences, and had previously been sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years with 18 months suspended. At sentencing, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a six‑year term on McBride, suspending the final three years on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation. The judge noted McBride's cocaine addiction and his efforts at rehabilitation, describing him as a pro‑social person who had fallen into debt and drug‑related pressure. Byrne's earlier sentence was not altered in this hearing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cocaine addict was wearing two sets of clothes when caught with loaded gun. 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
- 2022-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Background Person
Outcome: Derek Byrne (38) of Drynam Green, Swords, Co Dublin, was previously sentenced by Judge Melanie Greally to seven-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended.
Accused
Charges: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition at N4, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, on December 3, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Greally said McBride's involvement came from a cocaine addiction that had "spiralled out of control and caused him to fall into significant financial debt". Judge Greally sentenced McBride to six years imprisonment but suspended the final three years on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 12 months post release.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Public Order Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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