Ireland Garda probe into shotgun seized twice in separate investigations
A 12 gauge pump-action shotgun stolen in a 2004 burglary at a licensed firearms dealer in the west of Ireland was seized by gardaí in 2009 in an unrelated operation in the east. It was seized again in the Midlands during an operation against a different crime group, in 2023 according to the Irish Mirror and last year according to the Irish Times. Two males were arrested and charged with firearm offences over that seizure, and one man is before the courts over the second seizure. After Garda Commissioner Drew Harris ordered an urgent investigation into how the gun returned to criminals, Garda Headquarters said on 23 April 2024 that the criminal investigation was in its latter stages with no clear conclusion date.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 12 gauge pump-action shotgun was stolen in a 2004 burglary at a licensed firearms dealer in the west of Ireland.
- When
- Gardaí seized the shotgun in 2009 in an unrelated operation in the east of the country, in the Leinster area.
- The Irish Mirror dates the second seizure to 2023, while the Irish Times says it happened last year.
- Where
- The shotgun was seized again in the Midlands during an operation against a different group of criminals.
- Cause
- The shotgun was stored in the PEMS exhibits management system after the 2009 seizure but later ended up with another crime gang.
- Investigation
- Garda Commissioner Drew Harris ordered an urgent investigation into how the weapon got back into circulation.
- Gardaí are examining whether Garda members played a deliberate role and whether a botched attempt to dispose of or destroy the gun left it intact and outside the chain of evidence.
- Detectives have canvassed firearms experts used to dispose of guns to see if any handled it after 2009, and are examining whether anyone in the Garda took the gun and sold or supplied it to a third party.
- Garda Headquarters said the criminal investigation was in its latter stages, with a substantial number of enquiries completed and no clear conclusion date.
- Charges
- Two males were arrested and charged with firearm offences after the shotgun was seized in the Midlands.
- In court
- One man is before the courts over the second seizure.
- Other details
- Commissioner Harris sent a special report on the matter to Justice Minister Helen McEntee and the Policing Authority.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe shotgun is a 12 gauge pump-action weapon. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe shotgun was stolen in a 2004 burglary targeting a firearms dealer in the west of Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe gun was seized again last year during an operation against a different group of criminals. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe shotgun was seized in the Midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe gun was seized in 2009 during an unrelated Garda operation in the east of the country. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe shotgun was seized by gardaí in 2009 in the Leinster area. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Commissioner has ordered an urgent investigation into how the weapon got back into circulation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was at an advanced stage, with a substantial number of enquiries completed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating whether Garda members played a deliberate role in the shotgun falling back into criminals' hands. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetectives have canvassed outside firearms experts used to dispose of guns to see if any of them handled the gun after 2009. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are examining whether anyone in the Garda took the gun and sold or supplied it to a third party. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda Headquarters said the criminal investigation was in its latter stages, with no clear conclusion date. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeTwo males were arrested and charged with firearm offences after the firearm was seized in the Midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtOne man is before the courts over the second seizure. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe shotgun was originally stolen from a licensed firearms dealer in 2004. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Commissioner sent a special report on the incident to Justice Minister Helen McEntee. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe weapon was stored in the PEMS exhibits management system after the 2009 seizure but later ended up with another crime gang. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGarda Commissioner Drew Harris sent a report on the matter to the Minister for Justice and the Policing Authority. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Apr2024Gardaí investigate if member of force involved in loss of pump-action shotgun
Reports that the shotgun was stolen in a 2004 burglary at a firearms dealer in the west, seized in an unrelated 2009 Garda operation in the east, and seized again last year in a feud-related operation. Gardaí are examining Garda members and firearms experts, and the Garda Commissioner has reported the matter to the Minister and the Policing Authority.
- 23 Apr2024Garda probe as shotgun seized twice - in separate investigations
Reports that the shotgun was stolen from a licensed firearms dealer in 2004, seized in 2009 and seized again in the Midlands in 2023, and that the Garda Commissioner has ordered an investigation into how it returned to a criminal gang. Two men were charged with firearm offences and one is before the courts.
accused, maleaccused, male