Courts / Limerick / Report

Three years for man who was "used" as courier for revolver

Date
2015-04-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Gavin Hennessy, aged 30, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing a loaded Magnum Smith and Wesson revolver and 20 rounds of .44 ammunition. He admitted that he had been contacted by a phone call to transport the gun and ammunition from Limerick to Dublin to pay off a €17,000 gambling debt. Hennessy claimed he did not know the caller and was told he would receive €500 for the job. Garda Stephen Foran stopped Hennessy's Opel Astra on the N7, found the revolver wrapped in black cling film in the rear passenger footwell and the ammunition in the glove box. Hennessy had a prior speeding conviction but no other serious offences. Judge Martin Nolan accepted his desperation due to gambling problems and described the incident as a "once‑off fall from grace," yet imposed the custodial sentence with regret, noting that certain crimes inevitably lead to jail terms.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Three years for man who was "used" as courier for revolver. Charges or matters: possession of a Magnum Smith and Wesson revolver and 20 rounds of .44 ammunition on the N7 in Kill, Co Kildare on January 13, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 13, 2014 Incident
2015-04-22 Publication

Why: A man who acted as a courier to bring a loaded gun and ammunition from Limerick to Dublin in order to pay off a gambling debt has been jailed for three years. CNI source report

Case subjects

Gavin Hennessy

Defendant

Charges: possession of a Magnum Smith and Wesson revolver and 20 rounds of .44 ammunition on the N7 in Kill, Co Kildare on January 13, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said considering Hennessy lack of relevant criminal record and good work history and prospects it was "with regret" that he had to impose a custodial sentence but added "with certain crimes jail terms are inevitable".