Courts / Dublin / Report

'Vulnerable' taxi driver who took possession of loaded handgun is jailed

Date
2024-05-29

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Anthony Walker, a 54-year-old taxi driver, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court to concurrent terms of five years' imprisonment on two charges of possessing a firearm and five rounds of ammunition. Walker pleaded guilty to possessing a .38″ special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and ammunition on November 23, 2021. Mr Justice Paul Burns suspended the final 18 months of each sentence for three years, during which Walker must engage with probation services. The judge described Walker as a "psychologically vulnerable" man who acted in a "moment of madness" while transporting the weapon for Ryan Kelly. Kelly, who pleaded guilty to possessing the same firearm and ammunition, was jailed for six years in January for his role in a "sophisticated enterprise." Walker was intercepted by armed gardaí after receiving the gun from Kelly, who was arrested separately with three other men. The court noted Walker's history of abuse, mental health issues, and remorse, deeming him a good candidate for rehabilitation despite his involvement in a larger plan. Walker's counsel highlighted his lack of prior serious convictions and his fear for his family if he named others involved.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Vulnerable' taxi driver who took possession of loaded handgun is jailed. Charges or matters: possessing the firearm and the five rounds of the ammunition in the gun. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 23, 2021 Incident
November 2021 Incident
2024-05-29 Publication

Case subjects

Anthony Walker

Defendant

Charges: possessing the firearm and the five rounds of the ammunition in the gun (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: At the Special Criminal Court today, Mr Justice Paul Burns said the court identified a pre-mitigation headline sentence of five years' imprisonment for Walker. Mr Justice Burns sentenced Walker to concurrent terms of five years' imprisonment on both charges, suspending the final 18 months of each for three years during which time Walker is to engage with probation services.

Ryan Kelly

Convicted Person

Charges: possessing the firearm and the five rounds of the ammunition in the gun (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Kelly was jailed at the Special Criminal Court in January for his involvement in what Mr Justice Paul Burns described as "a sophisticated enterprise". Kelly was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm and the five rounds of the ammunition in the gun.