'Promising' footballer remanded after cartridges found

A teenager with "promising prospects" for international football who was caught with 19 shotgun cartridges has been remanded on bail pending sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Edward Moore (aged 17) is "of the kind of calibre that could play for Ireland", defence counsel, Mr Breffni Gordon BL, said but added: "That would be easy enough considering their current form."

Moore, of St Teresa's Garden, Rialto who was 15 years old at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of the gun cartridges on North Circular Road on October 5, 2005.

Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentence but warned Moore to stay out of trouble because "this is make-or-break time".

Detective Garda Paul Tallon told Mr Luán Ó Braonain, BL, prosecuting, that Moore hid behind a van after throwing away a plastic bag containing the cartridges. He initially denied any knowledge of the bag but later claimed he found it in a lane way while out walking his dog.

Moore had six previous convictions, including possession of drugs for sale or supply and unauthorised interference with a car, that were all dealt with in the Children Court.

Det Gda Tallon agreed with Mr Gordon that he was aware that Moore was a talented footballer who played with O'Devaney United juniors and that coaching staff there described him as having "very promising prospects" and someone who could play for the Irish soccer team.

Moore trained three times per week with his football club and coaches an under-10s team.

Mr Gordon described Moore as "a young decent man with a very, very bright future" and who was also "a good support" to his seriously ill mother.