Ireland Kerry man to face trial over machine gun bolt found in luggage at Dublin Airport
On 28 November 2021, customs officers at Terminal 2, Dublin Airport, searched the luggage of Patrick O'Mahony Jr, a registered firearms trader from Ballyrameen, Castlemaine, Co Kerry, returning from Florida, and found a bolt described as an essential component for a Browning machine gun, a prohibited firearm. He was interviewed and said the item was for a historical firearm, and he faces a single charge of possessing the bolt. On 5 September 2023 it was reported that the DPP had directed summary disposal at district court level, and Judge John Hughes ordered a non-jury trial, expected to last at least one day, to be heard on 1 February.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Patrick O'Mahony Jr, a registered firearms trader, faces a single charge of possessing a bolt from a Browning machine gun.
- Where
- He is from Ballyrameen, Castlemaine, Co Kerry.
- The bolt was found in his luggage at Terminal 2, Dublin Airport.
- When
- The bolt was found on 28 November 2021.
- Weapon
- The bolt was described as an essential component for a Browning machine gun, a prohibited firearm.
- Cause
- He had brought the item back after a trip to Florida in the United States.
- Investigation
- Customs officers searched his luggage, found suspected firearms parts, and sent them for examination.
- He was interviewed and said the item was for a historical firearm.
- The garda agreed with the defence that he co-operated from the outset.
- Charges
- He was charged with a single count of possessing a bolt from a Browning machine gun, as reported on 5 September 2023.
- In court
- The DPP directed that the case be disposed of summarily at district court level, not in the Circuit Court.
- Judge John Hughes ordered a non-jury trial, expected to take at least one day, to be heard on 1 February.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe accused was registered as a firearms trader and is from Ballyrameen, Castlemaine, Co Kerry. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe bolt was in his luggage at Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe bolt was found at Terminal 2 on 28 November 2021. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe bolt was described as an essential component for a Browning machine gun, a prohibited firearm. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationCustoms officers searched his luggage and found suspected firearms parts, which were sent for examination. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe accused was interviewed and said the item was for a historical firearm. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe garda agreed with the defence that the accused co-operated from the outset. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe faces a single charge of possessing a bolt from a Browning machine gun. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge John Hughes ordered that the non-jury trial, expected to take at least one day, be heard on 1 February. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed that the case be disposed of summarily at district court level, not in the Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe had brought the item back after a trip to Florida in the United States. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Sep2023Kerry military enthusiast has trial date set over machine gun component in luggage
Reports that the accused was charged, the court date was set for a non-jury trial on 1 February, the DPP directed summary disposal at district court level, and the accused said the part was for a historical firearm.
accused, Patrick O'Mahony Jr, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Mahony Jr