Kieran Mc Laughlin jailed for 10 years for firearms offences

A 60 year old man who was acquitted of the 2013 murder of Barry McCrory in Derry has been jailed for 10 years for firearms offences at Belfast Crown Copurt
Kieran McLaughlin was found by police hiding under a car with a loaded sawn-off shotgun and other weapons six days after the murder in October of that year.
Belfast Crown Court was told Kieran McLaughlin had a “deplorable record”, with firearms convictionss dating back to the 1970s.
In March this year, McLaughlin, formerly of Elaghmore Park in the Galliagh area of Derry, was found not guilty of the murder of Barry Mc Grory in Derry in October 2013.
However, he was convicted of possessing firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and possessing an imitation firearm. The 60-year-old was on licence at the time of the killing and went on the run from police who wanted to question him.
He was arrested in the early hours of 16 October 2013 after he was found lying under a car in the Rossnagalliagh area of Derry.
Prior to the start of the trial in March, McLaughlin admitted having the guns and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
When the judge asked why McLaughlin had gone on the run, the defence barrister said his client believed he was being sought by the SAS.