28/09/2016

Man Jailed Over Sub-Machine Gun And Ammunition Find

A 31-year-old man from Belfast has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he was caught with a sub-machine gun and ammunition almost two years ago.

Vincent Kelly, formerly of Hawthorn Street in west Belfast, got off a bus from Dublin in Belfast city centre and was travelling in a taxi along Grosvenor Road when he was stopped by police on 20 November 2014.

Inside his black sports bag officers found a reactivated and modified PPS43 sub machine gun, three magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition.

When the weapon was forensically examined and test fired, it was discovered that the sub machine gun could only be fired on fully automatic mode, thereby increasing its lethal capability.

Kelly pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Detective Chief Inspector Gillian Kearney said: "We are delighted to have taken this lethal weapon off the streets. Lives have undoubtedly been saved due to the work of officers in Serious Crime Branch, supported by our colleagues in An Garda Siochana."

(CD/LM)

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