Belfast man caught with submachine gun behind bars

A 31 year old year old man has been handed a 9 year jail term after he was caught with a submachine gun.

Vincent Kelly who was formerly of Hawthorn Street in west Belfast was discovered carrying the weapon and ammunition in 2014.

Mr Kelly was stopped in a taxi on the Grosvenor Road by police on the 20th of November 2014.

He had got just off a bus from Dublin to Belfast City Centre.

Officers discovered a PPS43 sub machine gun, three magazines and 50 rounds of ammo.

The accused pleaded guilty and detectives say lives have undoubtedly been saved as the lethal weapon has been taken off the streets.

Detective Chief Inspector Gillian Kearney said: “We are delighted to have taken this lethal weapon off the streets. Lives have undoubtedly been saved due to the work of officers in Serious Crime Branch, supported by our colleagues in An Garda Siochana.

“Those who follow a path of violence need to realise that their activities will inevitably lead to serious consequences for themselves.

"Police remain committed to taking illegal firearms out of circulation and putting those involved in this potentially deadly activity before the courts and behind bars.”