Teen in court over antique handgun

A 17-year-old who was caught transporting an antique but fully-functioning handgun will be sentenced in May.

Craig Mooney, now 18, told gardaí he was transporting the Webley and Scott .455mm revolver “from point A to point B” for a third party.

The gun was in good condition and capable of firing but no ammunition was found. The same model was used by the Royal Irish Constabulary, pre-independence.

Mooney, of Bradford Walk, Ballinteer, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the weapon on the Tallaght bypass on November 17, 2014. Judge Melanie Greally ordered a probation report for Mooney and remanded him on bail until sentencing on May 3, 2016, when a plea in mitigation will be heard. The teenager faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

Garda Brian Curran said he stopped a car after seeing someone inside throwing latex gloves out the window. Mooney was in the passenger seat and the garda noticed he was sitting on a package that contained the revolver. Mooney was arrested and claimed he was transporting the gun because he owed €3,000 in a “drug debt”. He said he needed money, because he didn’t have anywhere to live.