Southside teen caught transporting antique handgun

A 17-year-old who was caught transporting an antique but fully functioning handgun will be sentenced in May.

Craig Mooney, now aged 18, told gardaí he was transporting the Webley and Scott .455mm Revolver “from point A to point B” for a third party. The gun was found to be in good condition and capable of firing but no ammunition was found with it.

It’s the same model which was used by the Royal Irish Constabulary, pre-independence.

Mooney, of Bradford Walk, Ballinteer, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the weapon on the Tallaght Bypass on November 17, 2014.

Judge Melanie Greally ordered a probation report for Mooney and remanded him on bail until sentencing on May 3, 2016 when a plea in mitigation will be heard. The teenager faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

Garda Brian Curran said he stopped a car on the Tallaght Bypass after seeing someone inside throwing latex gloves out the window. Mooney was in the passenger seat and the Garda noticed he was sitting on a package that contained the revolver.

Mooney was arrested and claimed he was transporting the gun because he owed €3,000 in a “drug debt”. He said he needed money because he didn’t have anywhere to live.

He told gardaí he picked up the weapon the day before and he didn’t know what it was to be used for. He refused to say how much he was getting paid to move it.

Conor Gallagher