Limerick teens jailed on firearms charges

Two teenagers who rode into a field on horseback to collect a double barrel sawn-off shotgun, for use in Limerick's criminal feud, have been sentenced to three years' detention.

Noel Stanners (aged 18)), of Shannabooley Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, and 17-year-old David McCarthy, of Clinoa Park, Moyross, pleaded guilty to having the gun and three rounds of ammunition.

Judge Carol Moran lifted a restriction on the media from publishing the name of McCarthy because the matter was “very much in the public interest”.

The court heard the two youths were arrested after a Garda surveillance operation was set up in December 2009.