Courts / Dublin / Report

Criminals able to get guns 'like a pack of cigarettes', family of mum left paralysed say

Summary

In October 2022, Joseph Byrne, aged 33, was sentenced to nine‑and‑a‑half years in prison by the Central Criminal Court for providing a handgun to his friend Dean McCarthy, who used it to shoot Sinead Connolly on 6 March 2021. Connolly, a mother of one, survived the attack but was left paralysed and in need of ongoing treatment. Byrne's actions were described by Judge Paul McDermott as reckless, irresponsible and dangerous, noting the ease with which he obtained the firearm and ammunition. The judge set a headline sentence of 14 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, reduced to eleven years with an 18‑month suspended portion, and imposed a five‑year concurrent sentence for possession of ammunition. The case highlighted the lack of support for Connolly and her daughter following the violent incident. Joseph Byrne pleaded guilty. Dean McCarthy pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminals able to get guns 'like a pack of cigarettes', family of mum left paralysed say. Charges or matters: possession of a G9A Grand Power semi-automatic handgun, with intent to endanger life on March 6, 2021 at Bluebell in Dublin 12; possession of ammunition on the same date; Ms Connolly's attempted murder on March 6, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 6, 2021 Incident
• March 14 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2022-10-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report