A “HIGHLY volatile” criminal caught with an Uzi submachine gun days after he was released from prison has been jailed for 10 years.
Fintan Lynch, of no fixed abode but originally from Southill in Limerick, was found with the Israeli-made firearm at a hotel room in Limerick earlier this year.
The 31-year-old was jailed for seven years for possession of the weapon and had a three-year suspended sentenced activated at Limerick Circuit Court yesterday.
Before imposing the sentences Judge Carroll Moran said he had to take into account the “great harm that can be done by guns in society”.
The court heard that the Uzi submachine gun, a silencer and two magazines were recovered at Lynch’s room at the Travel Lodge Hotel, Coonagh roundabout, Limerick on February 10th last. Lynch pleaded guilty to possession of all of the items for an unlawful purpose.
The court heard that gardaí, acting on confidential information, searched Lynch’s hotel room and found him lying on the ground. The 31-year-old, who was released from prison on January 29th, claimed he had the gun for his own protection and denied he was planning revenge on the person who shot his brother.
Previously, the court heard that Lynch claimed he had been given a bullet-proof vest upon his release from jail by his brother.
Yesterday, the court heard the 31-year-old stayed in hotels after his release from prison, and during his stay at the Travel Lodge he gave staff instructions not to clean his room.
Defence counsel Shane O’Callaghan claimed these were the activities of a man who was in fear of his life. Gardaí rejected this claim and Lynch was described as a “highly volatile person” with a history of significant violence.
Prosecution for the State John O’Sullivan said the Uzi submachine gun was “perfectly serviceable” and capable of selective fire in both semi and full automatic mode. The silencer was also in good condition but not compatible for use with the machine gun, while the two magazines were empty but suitable for use with the weapon, the court heard.
Lynch was described as borderline schizophrenic with personality difficulties linked to abuse he suffered as a teenager while in the care of the State at an industrial school in Dublin.
The judge said the 31-year-old had a bad record and while many of his previous convictions related to domestic difficulties he had previous convictions for robbery burglary and theft.
The court heard that Lynch was jailed for three years in July 2007 for robbery and that he also received a further three-year sentence on the same date for an assault. This sentence was suspended for six years on condition he stayed out of trouble.
Before imposing sentence, the judge said he had to activate the suspended sentence which he made consecutive to the seven-year jail term, as the accused was only out of prison a few days when he committed a further offence.