Teen hid gun

A teenager who hid a semi-automatic pistol for people "more sinister than himself" to pay off a drug debt has been ordered to perform 150 hours community service in lieu of a two year jail term by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Karl Bowes (aged 18), of Clonshaugh Drive, Coolock, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of ‘ecstasy’ tablets at his home on April 17, 2004.

Garda Declan Maloney told Mr Vincent Heneghan BL, prosecuting, that gardaí found 19 ecstasy tablets valued at €190, a small amount of cannabis and a loaded nine millimetre Luger calibre semi-automatic pistol when they searched the boy’s home address based on confidential information.

Bowes told gardaí that he owed €2,000 to people described by Mr Heneghan as "more sinister than himself". Gda Maloney agreed that Bowes was "in fear" of these people.

Mr Bernard Condon BL, defending, told Judge Katherine Delahunt that Bowes’ father had died not long before this offence and he had become involved with people abusing drink and drugs.