Man jailed for seven years for drugs and firearms offences

A father-of-two has been given sentences totalling seven years with the final two suspended for possessing a shotgun and ammunition and later being caught holding heroin while on bail.

Gardaí found the gun in the shed of Peter Kenny (aged 37) after they obtained a warrant to search his house for drugs.

Kenny, of Kilmartin Avenue, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the gun, 29 rounds and a small amount of heroin at his home on July 5, 2007.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply at Kilmartin Avenue on June 7, 2008.

Kenny initially claimed he had the shotgun and ammunition had for clay-pigeon shooting. Gardaí accepted he was holding the items for someone else. It is Kenny’s second conviction for possession of a firearm.

Judge Tony Hunt imposed the presumptive minimum sentence of five years applicable under legislation to the firearms offence. He imposed a consecutive two year sentence for the drugs offences but suspended it in full.

Garda Mark Rowntree told prosecuting counsel, Mr Colm O’Briain BL, he and his colleagues went to Kenny’s house and his partner answered the door. They saw Kenny sitting in the living room with a bag of around €70 worth of heroin.

The gun was found wrapped in packaging in the shed and was loaded with one round. Kenny also pointed out a gun belt containing extra ammunition. He was arrested and told gardaí in interview he had the shotgun for clay-pigeon shooting but Gda Rowntree said he did not accept this.

Gda Rowntree said he had 20 previous convictions including a three-year sentence for a previous gun possession charge. Other offences included drug dealing and theft.

Gardai again searched Kenny’s home in June 2008 and found heroin which was valued at that time at €10,000 in a wheelie bin. He owed money and had been asked to hold the drugs which would have a lessor value now.

Defence counsel, Mr Bernard Condon SC, said Kenny lived with his partner and two young children and had a supportive family. He submitted he had immediately admitted the gun was his and had co-operated with gardai in the search.

Mr Condon said Kenny started using ecstasy at a young age and this led to a heroin addiction. He said he had got himself clean for a while but started using heroin again after being introduced to cocaine.