Courts / Meath / Report

Young father claimed he found rusty rifle whilst cycling in field

Summary

Aaron McDermott, aged 23, was sentenced to two years in prison for possessing a rusty rifle he claimed to have found while cycling in a field. He admitted bringing the weapon home and placing it between the partition walls of his and his neighbour's houses. McDermott pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm at his home on 26 January 2015. He had 73 prior convictions and a history of drug and alcohol misuse. The judge reactivated a one‑year suspended portion of a previous three‑year sentence for attempted robbery and imposed a consecutive two‑year term for the firearms offence, with the final year suspended. A search of his home uncovered a small bag of cannabis and the rifle, which had a shortened stock and barrel, was capable of firing but had no ammunition. The prosecution considered the offence low‑level for sentencing purposes.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Young father claimed he found rusty rifle whilst cycling in field. Charges or matters: possession of the firearm at his home on January 26, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 26, 2015 Incident
• March 2014 Incident
• 2016-04-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report