The toughest penalties for firearms offences ever introduced in the history of the State will come into operation following the conclusion of the weapons amnesty tonight, Tánaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell said today.
While a comprehensive tally will be compiled over the next few days, an update provided this morning by An Garda Síochána indicates that 368 weapons have now been handed in including 77 shotguns, 46 rifles, 46 handguns and 13 crossbows.
From tomorrow, November 1st, persons who failed to avail of the amnesty and continue to hold weapons illegally will face very harsh penalties when the mandatory minimum prison sentences provided for in the Criminal Justice Act come into effect.
The Tánaiste said: "The Weapons Amnesty has afforded people an opportunity to hand in illegally held firearms and other offensive weapons before the introduction of the new stringent sentences for firearms offences - the toughest ever introduced in the history of the State.
"From tomorrow, minimum mandatory sentences will come into operation and I expect the judiciary to implement these new provisions in full. Only in exceptional and specific circumstances, and in the case of a first offence only, can the court exercise discretion to impose less than the minimum sentence."
Each weapon handed in at a Garda station will be examined by ballistics experts. If it has been used in a crime the person who surrendered it will face questioning about the gun's history and possible criminal prosecution.
Weapons can be surrendered at any Garda station. Some were collected from owners by gardaí.
The new penalties are as follows:
- Possession of firearms with intent to endanger life - maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment;
- Prohibition of use of firearms to resist arrest or aid escape - maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment;
- Possession of firearm while hijacking a vehicle - maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment;
- Possession of firearm or ammunition in suspicious circumstances - maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment;
- Carrying firearm with criminal intent - maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment; and
- Altering a Firearm - maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.