Courts / Dublin / Report
Six years for criminal who moved loaded gun
Summary
Robert Cruise, aged 34, was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final two years suspended, after pleading guilty to being in control of a semi‑automatic pistol and in possession of six rounds of ammunition on 15 June 2017. The pistol and a petrol can of accelerant were found in a car he had moved, along with a motorbike helmet containing clothes. Gardaí stopped Cruise around 10 pm that night on Northbrook Road, searched him, and later found a key he claimed belonged to his brother, which opened the car. Cruise was arrested in May of the following year when his fingerprints were found on the bag holding the petrol can. He has 67 prior convictions, including threats to kill and assault. The court accepted that Cruise was pressured into the role and that the offence was out of character for him, citing his struggles with addiction and mental health.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Six years for criminal who moved loaded gun. Charges or matters: being in control of a semi-automatic pistol at Northbrook Avenue, Dublin on June 15, 2017; being in possession of six rounds of ammunition on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 15, 2017 Incident
- 2022-05-31 Publication
Why: The court heard that Cruise was stopped by gardaí around 10pm that night on Northbrook Road and they searched him because he was "visibly on edge". Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: being in control of a semi-automatic pistol at Northbrook Avenue, Dublin on June 15, 2017; being in possession of six rounds of ammunition on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed an eight-year sentence with the final two years suspended.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Northbrook Avenue
- Northbrook Road
Topics
Firearms Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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