Courts / Dublin / Report
'Vulnerable' mother who stored firearms arsenal to pay off debt remanded in custody
Summary
Sarah Jane Byrne, 37, and Jamie Moss, 22, were remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court until 1 December after pleading guilty to firearms offences. Byrne admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol, 27 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, a 12‑gauge sawn‑off Beretta shotgun and a Tokarev submachine gun, all found during a Garda operation on 16 February 2024 at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown. Moss admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol and a 9mm Makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition, also seized on the same day. Byrne's counsel described her as a vulnerable woman with mental health and addiction problems, who stored firearms to pay a debt to drug dealers and had recently overcome addiction but relapsed after a cancer diagnosis. Moss's counsel highlighted his recent completion of a carpentry apprenticeship and community respect. Both defendants had no prior convictions and were considered low risk of reoffending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Vulnerable' mother who stored firearms arsenal to pay off debt remanded in custody. Charges or matters: firearms offences, neither have any previous convictions and are considered at low risk of reoffending; five offences earlier this year; similar charges relating to possession of 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammunition, a 12-gauge "over and under" sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun; a charge that on February 16, 2024 at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 in Dublin he had in his possession and control a 9mm Makarov calibre semi-automatic pistol in such circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession or under control for a lawful purpose; having in his possession a 9mm makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition in such circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his p
When:
- December 1 Adjournment
- 16 February 2024 Incident
- February 16, 2024 Incident
- February 16 Incident
- 2025-11-03 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Charges: firearms offences, neither have any previous convictions and are considered at low risk of reoffending; five offences earlier this year; similar charges relating to possession of 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammunition, a 12-gauge "over and under" sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun; a charge that on February 16, 2024 at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 in Dublin he had in his possession and control a 9mm Makarov calibre semi-automatic pistol in such circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession or under control for a lawful purpose; having in his possession a 9mm makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition in such circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession or under control for a lawful purpose (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding, adjourned sentencing until December 1.
Accused
Charges: firearms offences, neither have any previous convictions and are considered at low risk of reoffending; five offences earlier this year; similar charges relating to possession of 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammunition, a 12-gauge "over and under" sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun; a charge that on February 16, 2024 at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 in Dublin he had in his possession and control a 9mm Makarov calibre semi-automatic pistol in such circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession or under control for a lawful purpose; having in his possession a 9mm makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition in such circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession or under control for a lawful purpose (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding, adjourned sentencing until December 1.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Mangorton Road
- Dublin
- Old Navan Road
- Old Navan Road
- Navan
- Blanchardstown
- Byrne's house
Topics
Drugs Stage Charge Or Pretrial
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