Courts / Dublin / Report

'Vulnerable' mother caught with firearms arsenal 'secreted' under stairs gets four years

Date
2025-12-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

A 'vulnerable' mother and cancer survivor, Sarah Jane Byrne, was jailed for four years by the Special Criminal Court for possessing an arsenal of weapons 'secreted' under the stairs of her home. Despite her lawyers' requests for a short sentence, Judge Karen O'Connor emphasized the need for a deterrent and the protection of society from weapons of brutality. Byrne, along with Jamie Moss, pleaded guilty and were considered at low risk of reoffending. Byrne's defense highlighted her mental health and addiction issues, as well as her history of domestic abuse. Gardai discovered firearms, including a sub-machine gun and a shotgun, during a search of her home. Judge O'Connor noted the serious nature of the weapons and the aggravating factors in Byrne's case, including her drug addiction and history of domestic abuse. She also acknowledged Byrne's cooperation and ongoing rehabilitation. Moss, who had an impressive work history, was sentenced to three years and eight months, with the final 20 months suspended. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Vulnerable' mother caught with firearms arsenal 'secreted' under stairs gets four years. Charges or matters: 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 the same date on the Old Navan Road, he had in his possession and control the 9mm Makarov calibre semi-automatic pistol; having in his possession a 9mm makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 16 Incident
16 February Incident
2025-12-01 Publication

Case subjects

Jamie Moss

Co Accused

Charges: 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 the same date on the Old Navan Road, he had in his possession and control the 9mm Makarov calibre semi-automatic pistol; having in his possession a 9mm makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The headline sentence for Moss was set at seven years. However, taking mitigation into account, the judge sentenced Moss to three years and eight months in prison, with the final 20 months suspended for a period of three years.

Sarah Jane Byrne

Accused

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Sarah Jane Byrne had previously suggested that any custodial sentence should be "as short as possible". Byrne was also sentenced to four years and four months imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, for possession of the shotgun and submachine gun found in her home.