No jail for man who bought stolen gun to protect family

A man who bought a stolen shotgun for his “family's safety” and hid it under his bed along with ammunition has today been given a three-year suspended sentence.

Mark Knott admitted to gardaí that there was “no specific threat” made against his family but that he felt safer having the gun in his home.

Knott (aged 46) of Macroom Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a stolen sawn-off double barrel shotgun on September 23, 2009 at his home. He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing firearm cartridges on the same date and same place.

Sergeant Dermot McKenna told Ms Anne Rowland BL, prosecuting that he obtained a search warrant to search Knott's home following a tip-off.

Knott answered the door to the gardaí and a search took place in the master bedroom where the stolen firearm was hidden in a blue shirt under the bed. A safe under the dressing table, which was locked, contained two Pringles tubes with gun cartridges inside them.

Knott, who has no previous convictions, admitted to gardaí after he was arrested that he had the gun and ammunition to protect himself and his family.

He told gardaí he purchased the gun and 60 cartridges for €800. He said knew the gun was stolen but was not aware it was taken following a burglary in Leitrim in 2005.

He refused to give gardaí the name of the person he purchased the items from as he was in fear for his safety.

Mr Sean Guerin BL, defending, said Knott had never used the gun and regretted having bought it.

Sgt McKenna agreed with Mr Guerin that there was no suggestion that Knott was holding the gun for someone else and accepted that Knott was genuinely remorseful.

“My only concern was he said he had the gun out of fear but he would not expand on this,” said Sgt McKenna.

Judge Martin Nolan said he found Knott’s explanation for having the gun “unconvincing” but took into account that he has no previous convictions.