Latest news with #CraigMcKeever
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Dublin man (20) had gun hidden under bullet proof vest in taxi, court hears
A 20-year-old man was caught in a taxi in Dublin with a loaded handgun after it fell out of his 'body armour' vest on Tuesday night, a court has heard. Craig McKeever of Dromard Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, was charged with an offence under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession of the .22 calibre handgun on June 24th at Turvey Road, Inchicore. Advertisement He appeared before Judge Susan Fay at Dublin District Court on Thursday and was denied bail. In evidence, Garda Niall White said that the accused made no reply to the charge. He objected to bail and alleged that Mr McKeever was caught red-handed. He said the accused and another male got into a taxi, which gardaí approached, noticing a strong smell of cannabis. Advertisement The court heard that during a search, the accused was found in the back seat wearing a body armour ballistics vest, and out of which fell an army green .22 calibre pistol. 'One round of ammunition was discovered loaded in the firearm,' Garda White said. The court heard the gun was seized, along with the single round, a magazine storage holder, the body armour vest and €550 cash allegedly in Mr McKeever's possession. The second male fled but was later granted bail, the court heard. Garda White voiced concerns that the seizure of the gun was related to an ongoing feud. The contested bail hearing was told the young man's house was burned down last year, rebuilt and later petrol bombed. Advertisement He said the Garda ballistics section had also examined the gun. The offence can carry a maximum 14-year sentence. The accused did not address the court or indicate a plea, but the bail hearing was told that the case was likely to be transferred to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. Ireland Billionaire JP McManus fights back tears in meetin... Read More His barrister, Kevin McCrave, stressed he had the presumption of innocence and bail, that the weapon has to be tested by experts for the defence, and that his client could spend a year in custody on remand awaiting trial. Case law states that the court could consider bail where it might otherwise not due to lack of a speedy trial, he asserted. Counsel said his client had family in court who could support him, stand bail, and ensure he attended court. He argued that the court had a myriad of conditions it could apply to Mr McKeever, who would obey strict conditions similar to house arrest, which would be like having a Garda searchlight on him. Judge Fay said she considered the submissions but denied bail and remanded Mr McKeever in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 3rd.
Sunday World
11 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man (20) allegedly wore bulletproof vest with loaded gun inside when gardaí stopped him
Craig McKeever (20) is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Gun seized by gardai in Dublin last night. Photo: An Garda Síochána Facebook A young man was wearing a bullet proof vest with a loaded handgun hidden inside when gardai stopped and searched him on a Dublin street, it is alleged. Craig McKeever (20) was arrested when the gun fell onto the ground in front of gardai, who fear it was related to an ongoing 'violent feud" in the city. He was refused bail when he appeared in Dublin District Court this evening charged over the gun seizure in the south of the city on Wednesday. Mr McKeever, from Dromard Road, Drimnagh is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Garda Niall White told Judge Susan Fay the accused was detained under the Offences Against the State Act at Kilmainham Garda station before being charged at 5.25pm yesterday. Gun seized by gardai in Dublin last night. Photo: An Garda Síochána Facebook News in 90 Seconds - June 26th He made no reply after caution. Objecting to bail, the garda said he saw the accused and another man getting into the back of a taxi at Turvey Avenue, Inchicore at 8pm on June 24. Gardai approached the cab, got a strong smell of cannabis and searched the two under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Mr McKeever was wearing a ballistic vest and when the gardai opened it, an army green coloured .22 calibre pistol fell from it onto the ground, Gda White said. While the accused was being arrested, the other man fled on foot and attempts to apprehend him were unsuccessful. In a preliminary examination, the pistol was found to be loaded with one round of ammunition. Gardai also seized the ballistic vest and €550 in cash Mr McKeever had on him. The garda said the area where the accused was stopped was a popular location for entering and exiting households and apartments and was also near a park frequented by children. He said the maximum sentence for the charge on conviction was 14 years. Gardai believed the gun seizure was related to an ongoing violent feud in the Dublin 8 area and the accused's family home had been burned out by a petrol bomb. Applying for bail, defence barrister Kevin McCrave said Mr McKeever was prepared to abide by conditions and would be under the garda 'spotlight' and 'effectively under house arrest' if released. He had always lived at his home address and family members including his father were in court to support him. The accused, who was presumed innocent, could be in custody awaiting trial for at least a year if refused bail, Mr McCrave said. The other man had been arrested, charged and bailed, he added. Judge Fay refused bail and remanded Mr McKeever in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on July 3, for DPP directions.
