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. 6825Drug trafficking (cocaine); firearms possession · Co. Kerry · 7 Jan 2024

Guns, cocaine and cash seized in Castleisland, Co Kerry raid

On Sunday 7 January 2024, Gardaí searched a residence in Castleisland, Co Kerry, as part of Operation Tara and seized two firearms, ammunition, cocaine with an estimated street value of €35,000 and €2,365 in cash. A man in his 40s was arrested and detained at a Garda station in County Kerry under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996; no name or nationality is given for him. The seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and investigations are ongoing. The man has since been charged and is expected to appear before Killarney District Court on 9 January 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested7 Jan
    2 reports
  3. Charged7 Jan
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
The search took place at a residence in Castleisland, Co Kerry.
When
The search was carried out on Sunday 7 January 2024.
What happened
  • Gardaí seized cocaine with an estimated street value of €35,000 and €2,365 in cash.
  • One headline describes €35,000 of cocaine and cash, while the Garda statement gives the cocaine value and the cash figure separately.
Weapon
Two firearms and ammunition were seized.
Investigation
  • The search was carried out as part of Operation Tara by the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit.
  • The seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland.
  • Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
Other details
  • The suspect is a man in his 40s; no name or nationality is given.
  • The man was arrested and detained at a Garda station in County Kerry under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
Charges
A man in his 40s arrested over the seizure has been charged.
In court
He is expected to appear before Killarney District Court on 9 January 2024.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized drugs, firearms, ammunition and cash during the search. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe headline states that €35,000 of cocaine and cash were seized. (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized two firearms, ammunition, drugs worth €35,000 and €2,365 in cash. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe cocaine seized had an estimated street value of €35,000. (garda.ie)
  • what€2,365 in cash was seized. (garda.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • whatCocaine with an estimated street value of €35,000 was seized. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe search operation took place in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe search took place at a residence in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe raid was on a home in Castleisland, Co Kerry. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe search took place on Sunday 7 January. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe search was carried out on Sunday 7 January 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe raid took place the day before the article was published. (corkbeo.ie)
  • weaponTwo firearms and ammunition were seized. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe search was carried out as part of Operation Tara by the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (garda.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 40s was arrested as part of the investigation. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe search was part of Operation Tara and was carried out by the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say investigations are ongoing. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeA man in his 40s arrested over the seizure has been charged. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe man is expected to appear before Killarney District Court on 9 January 2024. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe man is detained at a Garda station in County Kerry under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (garda.ie)
  • otherA man in his 40s was arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jan2024
    Arrestedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Guns, cocaine and cash seized in Co Kerry raid

    First report of the Castleisland raid. Gives the seizure details, the Operation Tara link, and the arrest under drug trafficking legislation.

    suspect, 40s, male
  2. 7 Jan2024
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Operation Tara – Firearms, Ammunition, €35,000 Cocaine and Cash Seized. Castleisland, Co. Kerry. 7th January, 2024.

    Official garda.ie press release confirming the seizure, with the cash figure of €2,365 and the drugs' estimated value. It adds that the drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland, that the man is detained under the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, and that investigations are ongoing. No name is given.

    suspect, 40s, male
  3. 7 Jan2024
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance - Operation Tara – Firearms, Ammunition, €35,000 Cocaine and Cash Seized Castleisland, Co. Kerry. 7th January, 2024

    Confirms the man arrested in the Castleisland search has been charged and is expected before Killarney District Court on 9 January 2024. Gives the charging stage and court date.

    accused, 40s, male