Friday 30 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. 17336Firearms offence (possession of machine gun and ammunition) · Co. Clare · 15 Sep 2023

Father-of-three jailed for possessing machine gun and ammunition in Clare forest

Evan Little, a father of three from Shannon, Co Clare, was arrested by Gardaí and the Emergency Response Unit on 15 September 2023 after an M16 machine gun and 179 rounds of ammunition were found in a forested area at Clonmoney West, Shannon. He said he stored the weapon because he feared people he owed a €12,000 drug debt to would harm his family. Mr Little, who has been on remand in custody since his arrest, pleaded guilty to possessing the machine gun, the ammunition and a magazine. On 7 May 2024 at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 56-month sentence with the final six months suspended, backdated to 15 September 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 May
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Evan Little pleaded guilty to possessing an M16 machine gun, 179 rounds of ammunition and a 30-round magazine.
Where
The weapon and ammunition were stored in a forested area at Clonmoney West, Shannon, Co Clare.
When
Mr Little was arrested on 15 September 2023.
Investigation
Gardaí and the Emergency Response Unit arrested Mr Little during a surveillance operation.
Weapon
The weapon was an M16 machine gun.
Cause
Mr Little said he stored the gun because he feared people he owed a €12,000 drug debt to would harm his family.
Charges
Mr Little pleaded guilty to possession of the machine gun, the 179 rounds of ammunition and the magazine.
In court
  • The judge said holding the gun for a criminal organisation was an aggravating factor.
  • The judge said any duress from owing money to drug dealers was self-induced.
  • The judge imposed a headline sentence of eight years' imprisonment.
Sentence
  • The defence asked that a substantial portion of the sentence be suspended.
  • On 7 May 2024 Mr Little was sentenced to 56 months' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended.
  • The sentence was backdated to 15 September 2023.
Other details
Mr Little has been on remand in custody since his arrest.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEvan Little pleaded guilty to possessing an M16 machine gun, 179 rounds of ammunition and a 30 round magazine. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatA father-of-three was found with an M16 machine gun and 179 rounds of ammunition in a forest in Co Clare. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe weapon was stored in a forested area at Clonmoney West in Shannon. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe items were found in a forested area at Shannon. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí and the Emergency Response Unit swooped on Mr Little on September 15th last. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenMr Little was arrested on 15 September 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeMr Little said he hid the gun because people he owed a drug debt to had threatened him and his family. (clareecho.ie)
  • causeHe said he stored the gun because he feared people he owed a €12,000 drug debt to would harm his family. (limerickleader.ie)
  • weaponThe weapon was an M16 machine gun. (clareecho.ie, limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí and the Emergency Response Unit arrested Mr Little during a surveillance operation. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to possession of the M16 machine gun, 179 rounds of ammunition and a magazine. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said holding the gun for a criminal organisation was an aggravating factor. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said any duress from owing money to drug dealers was self-induced. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge imposed a headline sentence of eight years' imprisonment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceDefence counsel asked that a substantial portion of the sentence be suspended. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was 56 months, with the final six months suspended. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was back-dated to 15 September 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMr Little has been on remand in custody since his arrest. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 May2024
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Father-of-three jailed for 'storing' machine gun and ammunition in Clare forest

    Reports the sentencing at Ennis Circuit Court, including the 56-month term, the suspended portion, the judge's remarks on duress and the drug debt, and the back-dating of the sentence. No earlier report of this case is in the list.

    convicted, Evan Little, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Evan Little
  2. 7 May2024
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Shannon man tells court he stored gun for drug dealers over €12k drug debt - Clare Echo

    Reports the guilty plea, the mitigation and the defence request for a partly suspended sentence. No sentence is reported.

    accused, Evan Little, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Evan Little