Courts / Ireland / Report
Trinity College graduate sentenced to six years for firearms possession
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Ursula Shannon, a 30‑year‑old Trinity College PhD student, and her co‑accused John McGreal (37) and Colin Brady (24) were found guilty of unlawful possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition, as well as a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, a Walther P5 pistol, a magazine for the Taurus, a ZGJY stun‑gun/flashlight, and 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The court noted that the firearms were recovered from a stolen van intercepted by armed gardai outside a firearms dealer in Co Offaly, and that the ammunition was wrapped in a baby's nappy. The defendants had not contested the evidence. The judge sentenced each to six years' imprisonment, with Brady's sentence back‑dated to 29 November 2012. Ursula Shannon pleaded not guilty. John McGreal pleaded not guilty. Colin Brady pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trinity College graduate sentenced to six years for firearms possession. Charges or matters: the possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on November 27th, 2012, but had not challenged any of the evidence in the case; the unlawful possession of one 9mm parabellum calibre Taurus PT92 semi-automatic pistol, one magazine suitable for use with the Taurus PT92 pistol, one 9mm parabellum calibre Walther P5 semi-automatic pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight; the possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition; the unlawful possession of the same Taurus pistol, magazine, Walther P5 pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2002 Incident
- November 27th, 2012 Incident
- November 29, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-02-28 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on November 27th, 2012, but had not challenged any of the evidence in the case; the unlawful possession of one 9mm parabellum calibre Taurus PT92 semi-automatic pistol, one magazine suitable for use with the Taurus PT92 pistol, one 9mm parabellum calibre Walther P5 semi-automatic pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight; the possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition; the unlawful possession of the same Taurus pistol, magazine, Walther P5 pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Convicted Person
Charges: the possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on November 27th, 2012, but had not challenged any of the evidence in the case; the unlawful possession of one 9mm parabellum calibre Taurus PT92 semi-automatic pistol, one magazine suitable for use with the Taurus PT92 pistol, one 9mm parabellum calibre Walther P5 semi-automatic pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight; the possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition; the unlawful possession of the same Taurus pistol, magazine, Walther P5 pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Background Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of the same Taurus pistol, magazine, Walther P5 pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Shannon and Brady have no previous convictions but John Troy was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to four years for IRA membership in 2005. However, Mr Justice Butler said the court would allow a year for the fact they had not contested the evidence at trial, bringing the sentence to one of six years for each accused.
Convicted Person
Charges: the possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on November 27th, 2012, but had not challenged any of the evidence in the case; the unlawful possession of one 9mm parabellum calibre Taurus PT92 semi-automatic pistol, one magazine suitable for use with the Taurus PT92 pistol, one 9mm parabellum calibre Walther P5 semi-automatic pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight; the possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition; the unlawful possession of the same Taurus pistol, magazine, Walther P5 pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Dunard Avenue
- Galway
- Moore Street
Topics
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request