Courts / Dublin / Report
Firearms accused disguised with fake beards, trial hears
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 June 2016, Michael Finlay, 36, and Dean Byrne, 24, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and magazine, and to possession of 9mm ammunition, alleged to have occurred at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, on 5 June 2014. Detective Superintendent Tom Maguire, of the Special Detective Unit, informed the court that he had confidential intelligence about IRA activity involving a white Renault Kangoo van with false registration plates that day. He briefed Detective Sergeant Joseph Finnegan, who then drove to the location, approached the van with his firearm drawn, and ordered the men inside to show their hands. Finnegan observed a firearm in the rear seat, which was dropped after he commanded it to be released. The men were wearing disguises of fake beards, hats and glasses; Finlay was in the rear seat and Byrne in the driver's seat, wearing a green An Post jacket.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Firearms accused disguised with fake beards, trial hears. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre semi-automatic pistol and magazine at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght on June 5th, 2014; the possession of various rounds of 9mm calibre semi-automatic ammunition at the same address on the same date. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 5th, 2014 Incident
- 2016-06-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre semi-automatic pistol and magazine at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght on June 5th, 2014; the possession of various rounds of 9mm calibre semi-automatic ammunition at the same address on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre semi-automatic pistol and magazine at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght on June 5th, 2014; the possession of various rounds of 9mm calibre semi-automatic ammunition at the same address on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Maplewood Road
- Tallaght
- Drumcairn Park
Topics
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