Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9572Firearms and drugs offences · Co. Donegal

Donegal farmer returned for Circuit Court trial on firearms and drugs charges

Ivan Peoples, a 47-year-old man from Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal, faces sixteen charges covering alleged firearms, ammunition and cannabis offences. No date for the alleged offences is given. The Book of Evidence was served on him at Buncrana Courthouse, and the DPP directed trial on indictment on all sixteen charges. The judge at Buncrana District Court returned him for trial by judge and jury to Letterkenny Circuit Court, as reported on 15 May 2026. The latest development is that he was released on continuing bail, legal aid for counsel was granted, and the trial is due before the Letterkenny Circuit Court sitting starting on 19 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ivan Peoples, a 47-year-old man and farmer, faces sixteen charges relating to firearms, ammunition and controlled drugs.
Where
Peoples is from Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal.
Weapon
  • He is alleged to have possessed a submachine gun, three semi-automatic firearms and a shotgun.
  • He is accused of unlawfully possessing a silencer and four magazines for high-calibre automatic weapons.
Charges
  • He is charged with possessing cannabis worth over €13,000 for sale or supply and with simple possession of cannabis.
  • The DPP directed trial on indictment and consented to Peoples being sent forward on all sixteen charges.
Investigation
A garda gave evidence that the Book of Evidence was served on Peoples at Buncrana Courthouse.
In court
  • Buncrana District Court returned Peoples for trial by judge and jury to Letterkenny Circuit Court.
  • Peoples was released on continuing bail.
  • Legal aid for junior and senior counsel was granted for the Circuit Court trial.
  • The trial is due before the current sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court starting on 19 May 2026.
Other details
  • The judge gave an alibi warning requiring written notice within 14 days.
  • The judge granted a Section 56 order for copies of all garda video interviews to go to the defence.
When
The return for trial was reported by donegallive.ie on 15 May 2026.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • chargePeoples faces sixteen charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is alleged to have possessed a submachine gun, three semi-automatic firearms and a shotgun. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of unlawfully possessing a silencer and four magazines for high-calibre automatic weapons. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with possessing cannabis worth over €13,000 for sale or supply. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with simple possession of cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtIvan Peoples was returned for trial by judge and jury to the Circuit Court at Buncrana District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtA garda gave evidence that the Book of Evidence was served on the accused at Buncrana Courthouse. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment and consented to Peoples being sent forward on all sixteen charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case is due before the current sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court starting on 19 May 2026. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered Peoples returned for trial to Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtPeoples was released on continuing bail. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtLegal aid for junior and senior counsel was granted for the Circuit Court trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge gave an alibi warning requiring written notice within 14 days. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge granted a Section 56 order for copies of all garda video interviews to go to the defence. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 May2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal farmer faces Circuit Court trial on serious drugs and guns charges

    Reports the return for trial of Ivan Peoples on sixteen charges, lists the firearms and drugs charges, and gives the Circuit Court trial date and the court orders made.

    accused, Ivan Peoples, 47, named, irish (judged from name)Ivan Peoples