Fanad man awaits fate at Circuit Court over weapons cache found in boot

A Fanad man caught with a large cache of weapons in the boot of his car will be sentenced next week.

Aaron McNutt faces sentencing at Letterkenny Circuit Court after an incident that arose when he was stopped by gardai at a a routine checkpoint at College Road in Letterkenny on July 28, 2023 at 3.45am.

When they questioned the driver, McNutt, they found a flick knife in his possession. After carrying out a further search of the vehicle, officers located an assortment of items in the boot, including a handgun, a pistol, five rifles, a sword and an axe.

McNutt, of Glinsk, Kindrum in Fanad, was charged with 10 offences, including that he did without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, have in his possession a realistic imitation firearm.

The charge is contrary to section 9A of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 as inserted by section 40 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

He is also charged that he did have in his possession a black handgun, such possession not being authorised by a firearms certificate granted under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 1990 and for the time being in force. This charge is Contrary to Section 2 of the Firearms Act, 1925, as amended by Section 15 of the Firearms Act 1964, and Section 3 of the Firearms Act 1971.

At a recent signing of Letterkenny District Court, McNutt’s solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, indicated that his client would go forward on a signed guilty plea.

McNutt appeared before Judge John Aylmer at the Circuit Court and affirmed the guilty plea in respect of all 10 charges. 

He spoke only to say “yes” when asked to confirm his guilty plea.

Mr Sean McGee BL, barrister for McNutt, asked that an assessment of McNutt’s suitability for community service be carried out.]

A sentencing hearing for McNutt is scheduled for November 13.