An American who drunkenly agreed to hold a weapon for acquaintances but later forgot it under a table in a restaurant has been given a four-year sentence.
Michael Watkins (46) had come to Ireland after being released on bail for a burglary charge in the United States.
Watkins, of Dodsboro, Lucan, pleaded guilty to possession of a pistol in suspicious circumstances at a Eustace Street restaurant on December 6th, 2009.
Garda Mark Looby told Colm O’Briain, prosecuting, a waiter at the Dublin restaurant discovered a bag with the gun after a couple had left. Garda Looby agreed with Caroline Biggs, defending, that Watkins had co-operated with gardaí.