Courts / Dublin / Report
Gun enthusiast caught with 'ammunition factory'
Summary
Gavin Blanchfield, 40, was sentenced to a six‑year suspended term after pleading guilty to eight counts of possessing ammunition, bullet heads, cartridges, gunpowder and primers without the correct firearm certification. The judge noted that Blanchfield had no sinister intent and had no prior convictions, which helped avoid imprisonment. He was found to have an "ammunition factory" at his Tallaght home, with 9.99 kg of gunpowder and equipment seized, and firearms that he legally owned but lacked the required licence for the ammunition. Garda investigations traced his activity on a public forum where he advertised and discussed ammunition. The court ordered forfeiture and destruction of all seized items, and Blanchfield's licence was revoked, effectively ending his gun‑owning hobby. The judge described the decision to spare him prison as a "close run thing.".
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gun enthusiast caught with 'ammunition factory'. Charges or matters: eight counts of possession of ammunition, bullet heads, cartridges, gunpowder and primers without holding the correct firearm certification at his home in Tallaght on July 20, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 20, 2019 Incident
- 2023-01-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: eight counts of possession of ammunition, bullet heads, cartridges, gunpowder and primers without holding the correct firearm certification at his home in Tallaght on July 20, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Gavin Blanchfield (40) was given a six-year suspended sentence today after "good police work" revealed he had been "selling untraceable ammunition to third parties" on the internet. Judge Nolan imposed a six-year sentence which he suspended in full.
Places mentioned
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