Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21250Unlawful possession of a firearm · Co. Dublin · 18 Jan 2021

Woman given suspended sentence for keeping blank firing pistol in safe

Celina Merriman (43), of Drombawn Avenue, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to unlawful possession of a Browning firing pistol, which she kept in a kitchen safe on January 18, 2021. Gardaí searched her home after relatives reported a gun there, and a ballistics examination found the pistol fired blanks. She told the court she kept it as a prop for her protection after feeling threatened over a stolen motorcycle. Judge Bryan Smyth gave her a wholly suspended sentence, conditional on keeping the peace and not re-offending for two years, as reported on May 4, 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Celina Merriman pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Browning firing pistol.
Where
She lives on Drombawn Avenue, Dublin 9.
When
The possession offence took place on January 18, 2021.
Weapon
She kept a blank firing pistol in a safe in her home, and a Garda ballistics examination confirmed it was a firearm that fired blanks.
Cause
  • She said she kept the pistol believing it was a prop, for her protection.
  • She said she felt under threat after a motorcycle she minded was stolen and its owner demanded €8,500.
Investigation
  • Gardaí responded to reports from relatives that she had a gun at her address.
  • Gardaí found the pistol in a safe in the kitchen during a search.
Charges
The offence was contrary to the 1925 Firearms Act.
In court
  • The case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge Bryan Smyth, and she pleaded guilty on a Thursday before the court, as reported on May 4, 2023.
  • Her prior convictions were for motoring offences, the last in 2012.
Sentence
She was given a wholly suspended sentence, to be suspended if she keeps the peace and does not re-offend for two years.
Other details
  • A friend advised her where to get the pistol, and she did not pay for it or get any ammunition.
  • She had co-operated with gardaí and had mobility issues after a fall. The judge said the firearm was realistic enough and warranted a custodial sentence.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCelina Merriman pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Browning firing pistol. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe accused lives on Drombawn Avenue, Dublin 9. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe possession offence took place on January 18, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeShe said she had the pistol believing it was a prop, and kept it for her protection. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeShe said she felt under threat after a motorcycle she minded was stolen and its owner demanded €8,500. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponShe kept a blank firing pistol in a safe in her home. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí responded to reports from relatives that she had a gun at her address. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí found the pistol in a safe in the kitchen during a search. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA Garda ballistics examination confirmed the pistol was a firearm but said it fired blanks. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe offence was contrary to the 1925 Firearms Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge Bryan Smyth. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShe pleaded guilty on the Thursday before the court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHer prior convictions were for motoring offences, the last in 2012. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceShe was given a wholly suspended sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence is suspended if she keeps the peace and does not re-offend for two years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA friend advised her where to get the pistol, and she did not pay for it or get any ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherShe had co-operated with gardaí and had mobility issues after a fall. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said the firearm was realistic enough and that it warranted a custodial sentence. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 May2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Woman kept blank firing pistol in safe for protection, court told

    Court report of the guilty plea and wholly suspended sentence; no existing case in the list matches this prosecution.

    convicted, Celina Merriman, 43, female, named, irish (judged from name)Celina Merriman