A Dublin court has heard a semi automatic handgun was "fully loaded and ready for use" when it was found under the bed of a 15-year-old Dublin schoolboy.
The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, appeared at the Dublin Children's Court today.
The judge deferred a ruling on whether he is to be tried in the Circuit Court which can impose a tougher sentence than the Childrens Court.
The boy, who is now 16, is accused of unlawful possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition at his north Dublin home in December last year.
Garda Desmond McNally told the court when gardai searched the boys home on suspicion of drug dealing the boy directed them to the presence of the gun.
He described the gun as a semi-automatic pistol, meaning "when you press the trigger once, it keeps firing". He also told the court he believed the boy was fully aware of the danger involved.
The teenager who was accompanied to court by his mother and a youth worker, was described by the defence as being in vulnerable position and was under pressure to take the gun.
The judge described the charge as "one of the gravest offences a person can be charged with", and he deferred ruling on the trial venue issue.
The teen was remanded to appear again next month.
