Man pleads guilty to gun possession

Just as his trial was about to start a champion power-lifter has pleaded guilty to the possession of a firearm and ammunition…

Just as his trial was about to start a champion power-lifter has pleaded guilty to the possession of a firearm and ammunition and has been remanded on bail for sentencing in May.

Des Ryan (54) yesterday pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a sawn-off, 12-gauge side-by-side shotgun and two 12 gauge Eley shotgun cartridges at Ecco Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, on August 8th, 2010.

Ryan, of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, had been due to stand trial on the charges at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday morning.

Una Ní Raifeartaigh SC, prosecuting, said the State was entering a “nolle prosequi” on a count of membership of an unlawful organisation against Ryan.