17-year-old owner of sawn-off shotgun awaits sentence
A teenage boy who had a double barrelled sawn-off shotgun buried in his back garden was remanded on bail today pending sentence.
The boy, aged 17 has pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court to possession of the gun at his north Dublin home, on September 14 last year, contrary to the Firearms Act.
Garda Sergeant Bernard Young, of Ballymun station had told the court that “as a result of information received a search was carried out on the home of the accused. Buried in the back garden there was a double barrelled sawn-off shotgun. He accepted responsibility.”
Judge Ann Ryan remanded the boy on continuing bail next month when he is also facing sentence for driving without a licence and insurance.
Earlier this year the boy had been put on probation after he was prosecuted for having a stash of cocaine worth €5,000 hidden in his home, in August 2006. The teen had been described as a “pawn” for bigger criminals.
A false driver’s licence in the teen’s name was discovered as well as a number of bank cards and details of bank accounts that were also in his name.
The boy, who was supported in court by his father, had previous convictions for motoring offences over which he was detained when he was aged 15.
He developed a drug addiction problem for which he was receiving treatment, the had court also heard.
