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Decommissioned museum gun used to kill Dublin man, trial hears

Summary

In a 2016 Central Criminal Court hearing, Detective Garda Janette O'Neill presented a Webley & Scott revolver found in a car near the site where Seamus 'Shay' O'Byrne was shot dead in 2009. The gun had been decommissioned by the Birmingham Proof House museum, but O'Neill noted that the firing arm had been replaced and the barrel refilled, restoring its functionality. Five spent cartridges were recovered, and State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy confirmed five bullets in O'Byrne's body, though they were of the wrong calibre for the revolver. Gary Flynn, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder. The court also heard CCTV evidence from a local Spar showing a nervous man purchasing items on the day of the shooting, and additional surveillance from petrol stations and a Topaz shop. The trial proceeded before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Decommissioned museum gun used to kill Dublin man, trial hears. Charges or matters: Mr O'Byrne's murder. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 13, 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2009 Other
• 2016-02-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report