PhD student and 3 men jailed for gun offences

A Trinity College graduate and three men intercepted by armed gardaí outside the premises of a gun dealer have received sentences ranging from six to seven years for the possession of firearms and ammunition.

Earlier this month, Ursula Shannon, aged 30, who is a PhD student, a graduate of Trinity College and prominent member of socialist republican group Éirigi, and co-accused John McGreal, aged 37, and Colin Brady, aged 24, were found guilty of the offences by the Special Criminal Court.

The non-jury court heard the accused were wearing disguises when they were intercepted by armed gardaí outside a residential premises in Co Offaly which doubled as a business for a licensed firearms seller.