Robert Redmond and Jamie Gray plead guilty to submachine gun charge

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

Robert Redmond and Jamie Gray each pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing or controlling a PAK PM-63 submachine gun in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that they did not have it for a lawful purpose. The proceedings were reported on 7 June 2023.

The firearms charge related to the M11 southbound at Shankill, Dublin, on 7 May 2020. Prosecuting counsel Paul Greene SC told Justice Paul Burns that it was the second count on each indictment, under Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act 1964.

Greene said the first count against each man would not be proceeded with. That count alleged participation in or contribution to criminal organisation activity by coordinating the provision or transportation of a firearm, with the intention of enhancing the ability of the organisation or its members to commit a serious offence, or being reckless as to whether it could do so.

Greene said the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed that Gray could remain on bail until sentence. Defending counsel Philipp Rahn SC requested a governor’s report for Gray’s sentence hearing, which the court granted. Rahn said Gray had no indictable previous convictions, was working, had two young children and had a gambling addiction in the background.

Dean Kelly SC, representing Redmond, said his client wanted to deal with the matter as quickly as the court could. The judge remanded Redmond in custody and Gray on bail until their sentence hearing on 10 July.

The report said Redmond had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Barry Wolverson at Madigan’s Yard in Swords, Co Dublin, on 17 January 2020. Redmond had denied that charge. His co-accused in the murder case, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment.