Gun-smuggling dad nabbed after trying to post deadly American weapons to Northern Ireland
Weapon parts seized at Coventry postal hub
William McMullan, 66, from Newtownards, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in November 2019. The NCA swooped after Border Force staff at Coventry International Postal Hub spotted parts of an automatic rifle, a revolver, and a self-loading pistol in two suspicious packages.
McMullan admits buying guns on US holiday
Under arrest, McMullan confessed he bought the firearms while holidaying in the United States and then mailed them home to Northern Ireland. He faced Downpatrick Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to firearms importation charges on 12 September.
Dodges jail but gets suspended sentence
On 20 September, McMullan was handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, sparing him immediate jail.
Official warnings as deadly guns avoided Northern Ireland
“These firearms could have caused mass casualties in the wrong hands,” warned NCA Belfast Branch Commander David Cunningham.
“The AR-15 is a military-style rifle linked to mass shootings in the US. There is no place for weapons like these in Northern Ireland.”
Border Force’s Phillip Holliday added: “We are committed to stopping illegal firearms which feed organised crime and ruin lives.”
