Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man who moved shotgun and ammunition

Date
2023-11-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 26‑year‑old man from Finglas, Conor McNally, was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to possession of a sawn‑off shotgun and ammunition found in a backpack he discarded on Glasnevin Avenue on 8 November 2022. Garda Craig Shields and a colleague intercepted McNally on a bicycle, seized the firearm and eight cartridges, and arrested him at Finglas Garda Station. McNally had no admissions during interviews, but a subsequent examination indicated recent handling of a firearm. His defence counsel argued that McNally possessed the weapon to clear a drug debt and to protect himself, citing a handwritten letter that described a traumatic childhood involving his mother's suicide and his father's death. The court noted McNally's 44 prior convictions, including weapons, theft, and drug offences. Judge Pauline Codd, after considering aggravating and mitigating factors, sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with counselling.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who moved shotgun and ammunition. Charges or matters: possession of both a firearm and ammunition on Glasnevin Avenue, Dublin 11, on November 8, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 8, 2022 Incident
November 9, 2022 Other
2023-11-06 Publication

Why: Fiona Murphy SC, defending, told the court McNally was in possession of the firearm because "he had a drug debt" and that "there was a threat to his life at the time. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Conor McNally

Defendant

Charges: possession of both a firearm and ammunition on Glasnevin Avenue, Dublin 11, on November 8, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Codd handed down a sentence of five years in prison, with the final year suspended on the condition that McNally is on good behaviour and engages with appropriate counselling while in prison. The sentence was backdated to November 9, 2022, when McNally entered custody.