Paul Whelan and John O'Donoghue deny handgun charge

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Paul Whelan and John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty before the Special Criminal Court to possessing a 9mm Colt semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life. The alleged offence was at Park Road, Corbally, on 30 July 2018. The proceedings were reported on 20 June 2019.

Opening the prosecution case, Dominic McGinn SC said gardaí stopped the men in an Alfa Romeo at Park Road. He said O'Donoghue was driving and Whelan was in the front passenger seat. Gardaí found a loaded handgun, two cans of petrol, a glove and cocaine in the passenger footwell, he said. He also said a change of clothing was found in the rear.

Mr McGinn said the prosecution would ask the court to infer an intention to endanger life from the circumstances of the stop and items in the car. Detective Sergeant Nigel McInaw said the Alfa Romeo reversed into a garda vehicle, after which another garda vehicle nudged it to prevent its escape. A ballistics witness said the pistol had eight rounds and functioned when tested with suitable ammunition.

Garda Fiona Maguire gave evidence that no fingerprints could be developed from the pistol or ammunition. Forensic scientist Sarah Fleming said no useful DNA profiles could be obtained from swabs of either the firearm or the rounds.

The trial was continuing before Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Flann Brennan.