Ursula Shannon jailed for six years over gun possession

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

Ursula Shannon was jailed for six years for possessing firearms and ammunition at the Special Criminal Court on 28 February 2014. The proceedings were reported on 28 February 2014.

Shannon had pleaded not guilty to possessing two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly. The charges included possession of a Taurus PT92 pistol, its magazine, a Walther P5 pistol, a combined stun gun and flashlight, and 25 and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The court found Shannon, John McGreal and Colin Brady guilty after a short trial. They had not challenged the evidence. Mr Justice Paul Butler said seven years was appropriate for each, reduced to six years because they had not contested the evidence.

The report said armed gardaí intercepted the group outside a firearms dealer’s premises in Co Offaly, where they were wearing wigs and disguises. Detective Inspector Michael Gibbons said one recovered handgun had been used in a 2002 Tallaght murder, but there was no suggestion Shannon or the others were involved in that offence.