A MAN found with a Glock pistol in his sock and a shotgun hidden behind a toilet in his home has been sentenced to nine years by Judge Tony Hunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Richard Brady (21), who has four previous convictions including one under the firearms act for carrying a knife, told gardaí his life was in danger and he was involved in the “Drimnagh feud” through people he knew.
Brady, of Mourne Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to possession of a semi-automatic pistol at Crumlin Road, Crumlin, and possession of a modified sawn-off shotgun with a silencer at Mourne Road on March 21th, 2009.
Judge Hunt suspended the final four years on strict conditions including one years probation supervision. He also ordered the destruction of the guns.
Garda Mark Doran told Ronan Kennedy, prosecuting, he was on mobile patrol in Crumlin at 2am when he observed three youths and had a suspicion that Brady, who was known to him, was carrying drugs.
He saw one of the youths throw something under a car and when it was retrieved it was found to contain two rounds of ammunition. He searched Brady and found a pistol in his right sock with a bullet in the breech.
Brady told gardaí his life was in danger and he had the gun for his own protection.
Garda Doran said a number of houses were searched including Brady’s home. During the first search of his home they found a spent bullet and during a follow up visit they found a sawn-off shotgun with a silencer hidden behind a toilet. The firearms were found to be in good working order. The serial number of the Glock pistol found in Brady’s sock had been deliberately removed.
Brady told gardaí he had taken tablets, “D10s” and wine on the night and could not remember where he got the pistol. He said he had received death threats in notes through his door and by word of mouth.
Garda Doran said gardaí had no record of these incidents being reported. Brady later told gardaí he was involved in the “Drimnagh feud” through people he knew and had the gun for protection. He subsequently said he had been asked to deliver it to a certain point for payment. He did not intend shooting anyone, he said.
Breffni Gordon, defending, asked the court to take into account Brady’s remorse and early guilty plea.