Courts / Limerick / Report

Limerick man jailed for possession of handguns stashed in LOVE bag

Date
2015-11-27
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Limerick
County
Limerick

Summary

Gary Yeung, a 31-year-old man from Limerick, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for the unlawful possession of firearms. In October, Yeung pleaded guilty to possessing a .455 Colt model "New Service" revolver and a .455 Calibre Webley Mark 6 revolver bearing serial number 324736 at James' Street, Dublin 8, on September 14, 2013. During the sentence hearing, Detective Superintendent Tom Maguire of the Special Detective Unit stated that detectives received information in September 2013 that Yeung was travelling from Limerick to Dublin for an IRA operation. Surveillance led to Yeung handing a bag to another man outside Kenny's public house; two firearms wrapped in socks were found inside. The Colt was described as rusted but operational, while the Webley was not. DNA analysis linked Yeung to the bag but not the guns. Yeung has ten previous minor convictions. Mr Justice Paul Butler noted the offence was serious but cited mitigation factors including Yeung's early guilty plea, expressed remorse, and low risk of reoffending. The court imposed a five-year prison sentence, with the final three years suspended. Yeung, who has been in custody for two months, had his sentence backdated to September 27 of this year.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Limerick man jailed for possession of handguns stashed in LOVE bag. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a .455 Colt model "New Service" revolver and a .455 Calibre Webley Mark 6 revolver bearing serial number 324736 at James' Street, Dublin 8 on September 14th, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Gary Yeung

Defendant

Charges: the unlawful possession of a .455 Colt model "New Service" revolver and a .455 Calibre Webley Mark 6 revolver bearing serial number 324736 at James' Street, Dublin 8 on September 14th, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: At the sentence hearing today, Detective Superintendent Tom Maguire, of the Special Detective Unit, told prosecution barrister Vincent Heneghan BL that, in September 2013, detectives received information that Yeung was to travel from Limerick to Dublin and an IRA operation was to take place. The court was satisfied, Mr Justice Butler said, that the appropriate sentence would be five years with the final three years suspended.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • James' Street
Facility
  • James' Hospital
Garda Station
  • was detained at Clondalkin Garda Station

Topics

Stage Sentence

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