Latvian man sentenced for selling illegal weapons

A Latvian man resident in Swords who placed an advert to sell his illegally held pistols has been given a 18 month sentence and fined €300 by Judge Katherine Delahunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Pavels Samosjuks (aged 23) advertised in a Russian language newspaper to sell blank firing pistols he brought in his luggage from his homeland and his fellow Latvian, Ivars Bobins (aged 27) bought a pistol from him for €350.

Samosjuks, of Carnegie Avenue, pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition at his home on January 27, 2007 while Bobins, of Boroimhe Beech, pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition at his home on January 28, 2007.

Judge Delahunt imposed an 18 month sentence with nine months suspended and on Samosjuks and imposed a suspended sentence of six months on Bobins.

Garda Peter Nestor told Judge Delahunt the pistols were legal in Latvia.

Garda Nestor told prosecuting counsel, Ms Fiona Murphy BL, that gardai were alerted to an advertisement in an Russian language newspaper circulating in Ireland offering pistols for sale for €350.

Gardaí investigated the mobile number on the advert and searched Samosjuks’ house on January 27th, 2007 where they recovered four blank firing pistols and a quantity of ammunition.

Samosjuks admitted placing the advertisement and told gardaí he had bought the guns from Latvia in his luggage two years earlier.

Garda Nestor said Bobins’ home was searched the following day after it was discovered Samosjuks had sold him a pistol. The pistol and ammunition were recovered. Neither man had any previous convictions.

Garda Nestor agreed with Mr Kevin Staunton BL, defending Bobins, that the firearms were "not capable of nor designed to fire live ammunition."

He agreed with Mr David Wheelahan BL, defending Samosjuks, that there was a metal blockage inside the gun to prevent them firing bullets.

Mr Staunton said Bobins was a father of one who had been living in Ireland for seven years with his partner and had a good work history. He said Bobins had co-operated with gardaí and was "not on the garda radar."

Mr Wheelahan said Samosjuks had made admissions from the outset and had already served nine months in custody, the equivalent of a 12 month sentence with remission.

He asked the court to take into account his client’s youth and previous good character.