Wednesday 28 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. 0598Possession of controlled drugs, possession of firearms, money laundering · Co. Kildare · 11 Jul 2026

Drugs and firearms accused refused bail at Athy District Court

A Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation on 11 July 2026 seized 11 firearms, more than 900 rounds of ammunition and approximately 28kg of cannabis valued at about €560,000 from a blue container at Oldcourt Bog, Athy, Co Kildare. Ryan Byrne, 32, a man from Athy, and Piotr Michalczyk, 43, a Polish man from Newbridge, were arrested on 13 July and charged with possession of cannabis, a Makarov handgun and 9mm ammunition, with Michalczyk also facing a money laundering charge relating to €22,840 and £1,560 in cash. Both men appeared at Athy District Court on 14 July before Judge Desmond Zaidan, where Byrne pleaded for bail citing his parents' recent triple bypass surgery. Both were denied bail and remanded in custody to appear at Naas District Court via video link the following Tuesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A DOCB operation seized 11 firearms (three machine guns and eight pistols), more than 900 rounds of ammunition and approximately 28kg of cannabis valued at about €560,000.
Where
The drugs, firearms and ammunition were found in a blue container on the bog at Oldcourt Bog, Athy, Co Kildare.
When
The operation took place on Saturday 11 July 2026 and both men were arrested on Monday 13 July.
Investigation
Garda witnesses Det Sgt Shane Kiely and Det Kate Gilligan of DOCB gave evidence that both men were under surveillance when the items were allegedly found.
Charges
  • Ryan Byrne, 32, of Shrowlands, Athy, faces four charges including possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, possessing a Makarov handgun and possessing seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.
  • Piotr Michalczyk, 43, of Roseberry Hill, Newbridge, faces five charges including possessing a Makarov pistol, possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, possessing seven rounds of 9mm ammunition and money laundering relating to €22,840 and £1,560 in cash.
In court
  • Both men appeared at Athy District Court before Judge Desmond Zaidan on Tuesday 14 July 2026 and were denied bail.
  • Both were remanded in custody to appear at Naas District Court via video link the following Tuesday.
Other details
  • Byrne told the court both his parents had undergone triple bypass surgery and pleaded for bail, saying he had no intention of running.
  • Michalczyk had no legal representation because he could not afford a lawyer and his preferred lawyer declined to appear due to solicitors' industrial action.
  • Gardaí believe Michalczyk was a person trusted by the criminal organisation in which he allegedly played an integral role, and he has been in Ireland since April.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe operation seized 11 guns, three machine guns and eight pistols, along with about 900 rounds of ammunition and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA blue container of 28kg of cannabis, valued at about €560,000, was under Byrne's control on land owned by his family. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA DOCB operation seized approximately €560,000 of suspected cannabis, 11 firearms and more than 900 rounds of ammunition. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe 11 firearms included three machine guns and eight pistols. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe hearing took place at Athy District Court before Judge Desmond Zaidan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMichaelczyk has an address at Roseberry Hill, Newbridge, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe drugs, firearm and ammunition were found in a blue container on the bog at Oldcourt Bog, Athy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGarda witnesses Det Sgt Shane Kiely and Det Kate Gilligan, both of DOCB, gave evidence in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationBoth men were under surveillance when the gun, ammunition and drugs were allegedly found. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí believe Michalczyk was a person trusted by the criminal organisation in which he played an integral role. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationMichalczyk was arrested at 3:52pm on Monday at Newbridge Garda Station and charged at 6:37pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationByrne was arrested at 4:18pm on Monday and charged at 6:17pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeByrne faces one charge of possession of cannabis and a second charge of possessing cannabis for sale or supply at Oldcourt Bog, Athy, on 11 July. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeByrne is also charged with possessing a Makarov handgun and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMichaelczyk is charged with possessing a Makarov handgun, possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition at Oldcourt Bog on 11 July. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMichaelczyk was charged with a money laundering offence relating to €22,840 and £1,560 cash found in a room he was sleeping in. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeRyan Byrne faces four charges: possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, possessing a Makarov handgun, and possessing seven rounds of 9mm ammunition. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargePiotr Michalczyk faces five charges including possessing a Makarov pistol, possessing cannabis for sale or supply, possessing cannabis, possessing seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, and money laundering. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMichalczyk's money laundering charge relates to €22,840 and £1,560 in cash found at his address in Newbridge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth men were denied bail and remanded in custody to appear before Naas District Court the following Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Garda objected to Michaelczyk's bail citing the seriousness of charges, strength of evidence, likelihood of custodial sentence, and risk he would flee to Poland. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth men appeared at Athy District Court on Tuesday 14 July 2026 and were refused bail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth were remanded in custody to appear at Naas District Court via video link the following Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherByrne told the court both his parents had undergone triple bypass surgery. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherOther people not before the court were also suspected of involvement. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichaelczyk had no legal representation because he could not afford a lawyer and his preferred lawyer declined to appear due to solicitors' industrial action. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherWhen Michaelczyk was arrested and charges put to him, he made no response. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichaelczyk has been in Ireland since April. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKiely believed that if granted bail, Michaelczyk would have to carry out future crimes on behalf of the gang that allegedly owned the guns and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherByrne was represented by Sean Egan, instructed by solicitor Brian Larkin, who were retained privately. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichalczyk has been in Ireland since April. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMichalczyk admitted during interview that he wanted to return to Poland permanently. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherByrne is addicted to cannabis which he took for his anxiety. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jul2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    'I'm begging you' - drugs and gun accused cries and pleads with judge in court

    Bail hearing at Athy District Court; both accused remanded in custody to appear at Naas District Court via video link the following Tuesday. Details of the DOCB operation, charges, and Garda objections to bail provided.

    accused, Ryan Byrne, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan Byrneaccused, Piotr Michalczyk, 43, male, Polish, named, non-irishPiotr Michalczyk
  2. 14 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man charged after 11-gun find by gardaí pleads for bail to parents recovering from surgery

    Provides full detail of the bail hearing including Byrne's emotional plea about his parents' triple bypass surgery, the specific charges laid on each accused, Garda witnesses' evidence, the reasons for denying bail, and Michaelczyk's lack of legal representation due to the solicitors' industrial action.

    suspect, Ryan Byrne, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan Byrnesuspect, Piotr Michaelczyk, 43, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Piotr Michaelczyk