DPP directions sought in teen's gun case

A youth, who allegedly discarded a loaded revolver which fired off a round of ammunition when it hit the ground, was further remanded in custody at the Dublin Children's Court today.

The boy (aged 17) was arrested on Saturday afternoon last and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act in Store Street garda station after a handgun was seized at East Road, in East Wall, Dublin 3.

Last Monday, the teen, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, was brought before the Dublin Children's Court charged with two counts under the Firearms Act for possessing a loaded .38 Webley revolver and five rounds of ammunition.

Garda James King of Store Street station had then objected to bail citing the seriousness of the case and had told the court that it was alleged the teenager had been under surveillance and fled when gardaí approached him.

He had said the weapon was allegedly loaded, wrapped in a cloth and “in his possession in suspicious circumstances”.

Garda King had said the teenager threw a package, which allegedly contained the gun, over a fence into a garden on East Road.

“At this point it discharged a round of ammunition having landed on cobblestones in the driveway,” Garda King he had also told the court.

The teenager was refused bail and appeared again at the Children's Court today where Judge Clare Leonard refused a defence request for a short remand.

She said he faced a “very serious offence” and “the DPP has to have time to consider it”.

She further remanded the teenager, who was accompanied to his case by his father, in custody to appear again on November 18 next.

Directions from the DPP have to be obtained as to whether the case is to stay in the juvenile court or instead be sent forward for trial before a judge and jury at the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

The boy was one of two juveniles to appear at the Dublin Children's Court in the past week on firearms charges.