A young woman who stored a shotgun under duress has been ordered by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to do 150 hours of community service. Tanya McMahon (19), of Maxwell Street, Dublin, admitted unlawfully handling the sawn off shotgun at her house on January 12th, 1996.
Det Garda Margaret Howard said McMahon was quite frightened when the gun was found in a Garda search of the house she shared with her boyfriend. Witness told Mr Paul Coffey, prosecuting, that the defendant eventually made a statement telling how a neighbour asked them to hold the gun, and she had only agreed to do so under duress.
Judge Cyril Kelly said it was obvious McMahon had become involved in the offence under duress from people she was now not involved with. In all the circumstances he would impose a 150 hours' community service order.