A man caught with a powerful submachine gun destined for use by one of Limerick's notorious crime gangs has been jailed for five years. Patrick Dowling (19), John Carew Park, Limerick, was found with the Ingram submachine gun on St Patrick's Day last year.
He was also found with a silencer and 150 rounds of ammunition, when he was stopped by gardaí while in a taxi on the Childer's Road in Limerick.
The court heard that Dowling, who admitted having the gun and ammunition, had the items in a white plastic bag which he was planning to drop off at Carew Park.
Judge Carroll Moran was told that Dowling had previously met one of the leading members of a notorious southside Limerick crime gang, but that he was not a member. Judge Moran said he accepted Garda evidence that Dowling was not a gang member, but said he was not entirely an outsider as the gang had "trusted him with this weapon".
He described the offence as very serious and could only "imagine with horror" for what purpose the gun would be used.
Judge Moran took into account Dowling's guilty plea and that he had two minor previous convictions. He also accepted evidence that he suffered from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and had limited intelligence.