Brother of Mr Flashy jailed for firing assault rifle from back of house

Eoin Reynolds

A brother of well-known gangster Mr Flashy, who fired a semi-automatic rifle from the back of a Dublin house in a video-recorded "display of strength" designed to intimidate others, has been jailed for five years by the Special Criminal Court.

When Eric O'Driscoll (23) is released from prison, the court ordered that he keep the peace and not associate with six named individuals for one year, or he could face a further 12 months in prison.

O'Driscoll's brother, Glen Ward (32), who was recently identified as notorious criminal Mr Flashy before the High Court, faces sentencing later this year for a firearms offence arising out of the same incident.

The court heard today that gardaí found video footage on a phone belonging to O'Driscoll showing both brothers firing a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle from the back door of a house in Finglas.

Ms Justice Melanie Greally, presiding at the three-judge court, sentenced O'Driscoll to six years in prison with the final 12 months suspended.

She said the court considered O'Driscoll's youth and immaturity at the time of the offence. She said it is unlikely that he had a "proprietary interest" in the firearm and there was a lack of evidence regarding the duration of his involvement with it.

She said O'Driscoll has no relevant previous convictions and negative influences within his family further lessened his culpability.

The judge also placed importance on a probation report in which Ms Justice Greally said O'Driscoll was "extremely forthcoming and candid" and expressed a willingness to engage with the probation service.

However, Ms Justice Greally also noted that O'Driscoll discharged the firearm in the presence of other young people and that one member of the party chose to video what was happening.

A further video showed the rifle along with ammunition and a military sub-machine gun displayed on a table. The court is entitled to infer, the judge said, that the videos were created to "display a show of strength and to intimidate".

The court placed the offence in the high end of the middle range for firearms offences.

O'Driscoll pleaded guilty to the charge that on January 1, 2022, at an address in Finglas, he possessed or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose.

O'Driscoll was originally charged with related firearms offences, including possession of ammunition, which were taken into consideration.

Ward pleaded guilty to the same offence as his brother.

Michael Bowman SC, for Ward, today told the court that his client's actions can best be described as a "grotesque act of bravado".

He said his client has worked as a mechanic and has no history of drug addiction or abuse.

He said he accepts that he will face a custodial sentence but if the court suspends any part, Ward will also enter a bond not to associate with the six individuals.

While in custody, Ward spent seven months on 23.5-hour lockdown, which impacted his mental health.

Sgt Shane Behan today told prosecution counsel, Tessa White BL, that in February 2022 gardaí searched a house in Finglas where they discovered the rifle and a military grade submachine gun wrapped in black plastic along with ammunition in a shed.

In June of that year, gardai discovered a phone that they were able to link to O'Driscoll and which contained the incriminating videos showing both men firing the weapon.

Ward has 20 previous convictions, he said, mostly for road traffic matters. He has one conviction for assault and another for criminal damage.