Gang and drug warfare which resulted in numerous killings had caused huge harm in Irish society, a judge said yesterday as he sentenced a father of four to seven years in jail for possession of a loaded handgun.
Martin Geasley (31), a self-employed tiler, Radharc Na Coille, Rathcoole, Co Cork had pleaded guilty to possession of a Glock semi-automatic pistol, a magazine and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition at Barnagore, Ovens, Co Cork, on July 3rd, 2008.
Geasley was arrested when gardaí recognised his van and stopped it because of his previous drug convictions.
A search revealed the gun wrapped in black plastic in the footwell of the passenger seat, where a 15-year-old companion was travelling.
Geasley admitted the offence, but had claimed the 15-year-old had asked him to bring him to Macroom to collect something, and it was only when the youth returned to the van that Geasley realised he had bought a handgun, Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told.