This article is from page 17 of the 2013-07-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
AN All-Ireland champion weightlifter found in illegal possession of a shotgun and cocaine in Mullagh almost three years ago has avoided an immediate jail term.
Sean McNamara (21), with an address at Doonogan, Mullagh, appeared for sentence before the Circuit Criminal Court in Ennis last Tuesday.
Mr McNamara is a Munster and All-Ireland weightlifting titleholder. He also holds two under 23 national records and has been short listed for the Irish weightlifting squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
On October 16 2010, members of the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit raided a farmhouse near Doonogan, Mullagh. There they found a sawn off double barrel shotgun wrapped in a towel; 29.82 grammes of cocaine; weighing scales and glucose for mixing cocaine.
There were no cartridges in the gun, the court heard.
The court heard Mr McNamara ad- mitted the offence and was very cooperative and open to gardaí.
In April, Mr McNamara pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a shotgun and having cocaine for sale or supply.
Mr McNamara had been part of a gang involved in drug dealing in North and West Clare.
Delivering sentence, Judge Gerald Keyes said evidence had been given that Mr McNamara was “pressured” and “influenced” by the then 17-yearold head of the gang to store the shotgun.
Mr McNamara was in fear of this person who also sent a series of text messages from his phone.
Judge Keyes said the gun was sourced as a “scare tactic so the 17 year old could act the big man in a showdown because of dented pride.”
The court heard Mr McNamara has broken all links with the gang and has not come to garda attention in the years since.
Detective Garda Stephen Hession told the court that Mr McNamara was apprehended at the right time before things spiraled out of control.
In April, Defence Counsel, Michael Collins BL urged the Court not to impose a custodial sentence as it might harm his client’s Olympics hopes.
A mandatory minimum five-year sentence applied to the firearm charge but Judge Keyes said there were exceptional circumstances that allowed him not to impose the term.
The court heard Mr McNamara indicated at an early stage that he would be pleading guilty.
Judge Keyes said garda evidence also indicated that the chances of Mr McNamara committing similar offences in the future are low.
Judge Keyes imposed a three-year sentence on each charge, to run concurrently. He suspended the sentence for a period of five years.
He warned Mr McNamara that if he committed any more offence, he would activate the prison sentence.
Judge Keyes added, “These were very serious offences.
“Your future is in your hands and you have an opportunity to rectify this.”