Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who accidentally killed sister with illegal handgun is jailed for two years
Summary
Derek Boyd, aged 28, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for the accidental manslaughter of his 34‑year‑old sister, Sandra Boyd, who died after a gunshot in their Finglas home on 19 March. Boyd pleaded guilty to manslaughter and to unlawful possession of a semi‑automatic pistol and live ammunition. He had obtained the firearm because he feared threats from a "gangland" figure. During the incident he was holding the gun in his pocket, had cocked it, and when he pulled the slide to eject a round his finger slipped, causing the gun to fire. He immediately fled, later telling Gardaí he was ashamed. The court, noting Boyd's remorse and the family's suffering, imposed a five‑year sentence with the final three years suspended for the firearms offences and a four‑year sentence with the final two years suspended for the manslaughter, with both sentences running concurrently and back‑dated to his arrest in March.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who accidentally killed sister with illegal handgun is jailed for two years. Charges or matters: the manslaughter of his sister, Sandra Boyd, at his home in Collins Place, Finglas, Dublin on March 19 this year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 19 Incident
- November 2021 Incident
- 2022-12-16 Publication
Why: The court heard he had sourced the semi-automatic pistol and live rounds of ammunition because he was concerned for his and his family's safety as a result of a threats made to him. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the manslaughter of his sister, Sandra Boyd, at his home in Collins Place, Finglas, Dublin on March 19 this year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At an earlier sentence hearing, his mother Teresa Boyd asked the judge to let her son out of prison. Judge Codd imposed a five year sentence with the final three years suspended for the firearms offences and four years with the final two years suspended for the manslaughter.
Places mentioned
Topics
Firearms Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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