Two await sentencing after admitting possession of Glock 9mm handguns

Two men caught transporting handguns across the city will be sentenced next month at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Michael Collins (aged 42) of Raheen Park, Ballyfermot and Christopher O’Brien (aged 37) of Thornville Terrace, Kilbarrack pleaded guilty to possession of four Glock 9mm handguns, a box containing 100 bullets and several clips for the weapons.

The guns were all in excellent condition and two had been converted to fire fully automatically.

The men were caught just after O’Brien handed over the guns to Collins at Newlands Road in Ballyfermot on February 2, 2008.

Judge Katherine Delahunt said she wanted time to consider an appropriate sentence and remanded the men in custody until next month.

Detective Garda Nicola Lowrey told prosecuting counsel, Mr Elva Duffy BL, that gardaí received a tip-off about the guns and set up a surveillance operation in the Ballyfermot area.

At around half-three in the afternoon they saw Collins park up in a blue Toyata van.

Shortly after O’Brien arrived in a red Ford van and got out.

He carried a plastic shopping bag over to Collins and handed it over before both men left separately. Gardaí stopped them nearby and found the guns in the bag.

Both men were arrested and O’Brien admitted in interview that he had transported the bag. He claimed he had been asked to do a job and there was to be a “nice few bob in it for him”.

He said he did not know what was in the bag and he did not look inside.

Collins was also interviewed but he refused to answer any questions in relation to the guns. Both men have several previous convictions for minor offences.

Mr Michael Bowman BL, defending Collins, said his client owned a van which he used to transport things for people. He also drove a horse and carriage for tourists and weddings. He said he has an young daughter but is not with the mother.

Mr Bowman submitted that Collins has an alcohol problem and his brother was stabbed to death several years ago.

Mr Garnett Orange BL, defending O’Brien said his client was a family man and father of five children. He said he had worked all his life in various jobs but was currently unemployed.