Courts / Dublin / Report

'Big shock' at speed teen was able to get handgun after flats row

Date
2023-10-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin inner‑city flat complex, 18‑year‑old Brandon Kelly fired a handgun during a dispute between two groups. Gardaí described the rapid access to the firearm as a "big shock." Kelly, who had received an 18‑month suspended sentence for a robbery just 13 days earlier, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition for an unlawful purpose on 15 November 2022. His co‑accused, 26‑year‑old Jamie Byrne, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the reckless discharge of a firearm. CCTV showed Kelly and Byrne present at 4.36 pm, with Byrne later taking a motorbike to escort Kelly away after the shots were fired at 4.58 pm. The incident was initially treated as attempted murder. The court, noting the guilty pleas, ages and mitigating factors, imposed a seven‑year sentence on Kelly and a 27‑month sentence on Byrne, both back‑dated to 22 November 2023.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Big shock' at speed teen was able to get handgun after flats row. Charges or matters: having possession of a firearm and ammunition for an unlawful purpose on November 15, 2022, at Mercer House, Mercer Street, Dublin 2. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 15, 2022 Incident
November 22 Incident
November 23 Incident
2023-10-26 Publication

Case subjects

Brandon Kelly

Convicted Person

Charges: having possession of a firearm and ammunition for an unlawful purpose on November 15, 2022, at Mercer House, Mercer Street, Dublin 2 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Brandon Kelly (18) was handed a suspended sentence for a previous offence just 13 days before he fired the gun, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court also heard today. He imposed a seven-year sentence on Kelly and said he had taken into account the suspended sentence.

Jamie Byrne

Co Accused

Outcome: Judge Nolan noted the "limited involvement" of Byrne in this serious crime and handed him a 27-month sentence. He directed that the sentences for both men are backdated to November 22 last, when they entered custody.