A man known to gardaí as being “heavily involved in organised crime” and who was linked through DNA evidence to a submachine gun has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for five years. In passing sentence on Monday , the presiding judge at the non-jury court said that the damage done by gun crime could not be ignored. Mr Justice Hunt observed that the firearm was “not in condition for immediate use” but said undoubtedly the weapon was contemplated to be used at a future time. Mr Justice Hunt also remarked today that there was no evidence that Fogarty’s involvement was “other than the movement of the weapon” for use by another individual at a later date. In summary, Mr Justice Hunt said that one cannot ignore the damage done by gun crime.

Source: The Irish Times December 21, 2020 16:30 UTC