A west Belfast man caught with a sub machine gun and ammunition almost two years ago has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
Vincent Kelly (31), originally from Dublin, but with an address in Hawthorn Street was initially arrested by police on November 20, 2014.
He had got off a bus from Dublin in Belfast city centre and was travelling in a taxi along the Grosvenor Road when he was stopped by officers.
Inside his black sports bag officers found a reactivated and modified PPS43 sub machine gun, three magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition
When the weapon was forensically examined and test fired, it was discovered that the sub machine gun could only be fired on fully automatic mode, thereby increasing its lethal capability.
Kelly pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Gillian Kearney said she was delighted to take 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," she said.
“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," she added.
