Man jailed for Uzi possession

A Co. Armagh man who was caught with an Uzi submachine gun in Dundalk was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

Patrick Wall (aged 43), of Dromintee Road, Dromintee, Co. Armagh pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a 9mm Israeli-made micro Uzi submachine gun and three magazines at Long Walk, Dundalk, Co Louth on April 9 last year.

The court suspended the final year of the prison term after Wall gave an undertaking on oath that he would not get involved in crime in the future.

Detective Inspector Tom Duffy told the court that Wall was seen arriving by taxi in the centre of Dundalk and was carrying a holdall bag. When he went into an alleyway he was approached by two gardaí and asked to open the bag.

Inside the bag was a micro Uzi submachine gun. Three empty magazines were found in the front pouch. Detective Inspector Duffy said that the gun is designed by the Israeli Defence Forces and is in use by them and by the gardaí. He said it is a specialised weapon that requires specific training and is capable of firing 10 rounds per second. The magazines have a 30-round capacity.

During interviews Wall told gardaí that he was approached by three people and was paid €250 to bring the bag with the gun to Dundalk.

Wall said he owed €100,000 from gambling debts, and he denied that he knew there was a submachine gun in the bag.

Detective Inspector Duffy said that Wall had a previous conviction at the Special Criminal Court in 1994 when he was jailed for three years for hijacking, assault and robbery.

Wall said in evidence that he has suffered from a serious gambling problem which he had hidden from his family for years. He added: "I have learned my lesson. I have ruined my own life, I have ruined my daughter’s life, I have ruined my family’s life. This is the last time I will appear before this court or any court."

Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said that Wall had been "caught red-handed" transporting a lethal weapon.