Courts / Ireland / Report
Mr Flashy gets 5.5 years for firing assault rifle during house party
Summary
The Special Court has sentenced Glen Ward to six years and three months in prison for possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Ward, 32, pleaded guilty to a charge that on January 1, 2022, at a Finglas address, he was in possession of or had control of the firearm in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. Ms Justice Melanie Greally suspended the final nine months of the sentence, imposing a condition that Ward must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months after release, or he could serve the suspended portion. The judge noted a "certain unreality" to the suggestion that Ward had only fleeting involvement with the firearm, referencing video evidence showing him firing the gun and encouraging his brother, Eric O'Driscoll, to do the same. O'Driscoll, 23, also pleaded guilty to possession of the same gun. The court previously jailed O'Driscoll for five years. Gardai discovered the rifle alongside a military sub-machine gun during a search in February 2022. In mitigation, the court considered Ward's mental health impact from 23-hour lockup and his agreement not to associate with six named individuals.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mr Flashy gets 5.5 years for firing assault rifle during house party. Charges or matters: a charge that on January 1, 2022 at an address in Finglas he was in possession of or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose; possession of the same gun. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2022 Incident
- February 2022 Incident
- 2025-04-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a charge that on January 1, 2022 at an address in Finglas he was in possession of or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose; possession of the same gun (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The court previously jailed O'Driscoll for five years.
Defendant
Charges: a charge that on January 1, 2022 at an address in Finglas he was in possession of or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose; possession of the same gun (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In passing sentence, Judge Greally said there is a "certain unreality" to the suggestion that Ward had only a fleeting involvement with the firearm. Ms Justice Greally sentenced Ward to six years and three months but suspended the final nine months.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Tolka Valley Road
Topics
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request