Brothers jailed for possession of firearms

Two men who were caught in a stolen car in Kildare while in possession of a sawn-off shotgun, a semi-automatic handgun, bullets and cable ties have been sentenced to a total of 15 years imprisonment

Robert Dempsey (37) and his brother Paul (31) and a third man were under Garda surveillance and were followed from Dublin to an estate in Naas, Co Kildare.

Paul Dempsey was earlier seen entering a store outside the city to purchase cable ties. Gardaí arrested the three men when they stopped their car in an estate in Naas.

The brothers, Sheephill Green, Blanchardstown, both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Paul Dempsey to eight years imprisonment and imposed a seven-year sentence on his brother. She suspended the last year on both.

Edward Tobin (37), Whitechapel Lawn, Blanchardstown, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a hand- gun and he received six years.

Det Garda Frank Lambe said Robert Dempsey had 17 previous convictions and Paul Dempsey had 44.