Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen admits to firearms and drugs charges at non-jury court
Summary
Diarmuid O'Brien, 18, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to three charges: possession of a side‑by‑side double‑barrel shotgun, possession of cannabis for the purpose of unlawful sale, and possession of 630 g of phenacetin linked to drug trafficking. The offences occurred on 7 May 2024 at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, was instructed by Fiona Murphy SC to arraign O'Brien on these three counts and to seek a trial date for the remaining 12 charges, which include possession of various controlled drugs for sale, possession of 15 rounds of 9 × 18 mm Makarov ammunition and ten 12‑Gauge ELEY Olympic shotgun cartridges, and further possession of cannabis, diamorphine, cocaine and ketamine for sale. O'Brien was remanded in custody pending the later trial. The case is set to proceed in the Special Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen admits to firearms and drugs charges at non-jury court. Charges or matters: having a side-by-side double barrel shotgun in his possession at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful purpose on May 7, 2024; possession of cannabis for the purpose of unlawfully selling or otherwise supplying it to another at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on the same date. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 7, 2024 Incident
- May 8, 2024 Incident
- 2024-10-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: having a side-by-side double barrel shotgun in his possession at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful purpose on May 7, 2024; possession of cannabis for the purpose of unlawfully selling or otherwise supplying it to another at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Murphy asked that the Special Criminal Court fix a trial date for those matters at a later date before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, presiding at the three-judge court, remanded O'Brien in custody.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Corduff Place
- Blanchardstown
- Tolka Valley Park
Topics
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