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. 6612Firearms offence · Co. Dublin · 3 Feb 2024

Handgun and silencer seized in Finglas search; man arrested

On Saturday 3 February 2024, at about 5pm, gardaí from the Blanchardstown District Drugs Unit searched a residence in Finglas, Dublin 11, and seized a Makarov semi-automatic pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition and a silencer. A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in west Dublin; his name and nationality were not given. A Garda notice dated 4 February 2024 says he was released from Section 30 and charged, while an Irish Times report of the same date says he remains in custody. He is scheduled to appear before Court 2 of the Criminal Courts of Justice on 5 February 2024 at 10:30 am, and investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested3 Feb
    2 reports
  3. Charged3 Feb
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí arrested a man in his 40s following the seizure of a firearm in Finglas.
Where
The search was of a residence in Finglas, Dublin 11.
When
The search took place at about 5pm on Saturday 3 February 2024.
Cause
Gardaí from the Blanchardstown District Drugs Unit conducted the search while investigating organised crime activity in north Dublin.
Weapon
Gardaí seized a Makarov semi-automatic pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition and a silencer.
Other details
  • The Makarov model has been used in numerous gun attacks linked to organised crime in the capital in previous years.
  • The man was arrested at the scene and held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in west Dublin.
Charges
A Garda notice dated 4 February 2024 says the man was released from Section 30 and charged, while an Irish Times report of the same date says he remains in custody.
In court
He is scheduled to appear before Court 2 of the Criminal Courts of Justice on 5 February 2024 at 10:30 am.
Investigation
The seized items are being analysed by the Ballistics Section of the Garda National Technical Bureau, and investigations are ongoing.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man in his 40s was arrested following the firearm seizure. (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized a Makarov semi-automatic firearm. (garda.ie)
  • whatOne man, aged in his 40s, was arrested at the scene. (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized a handgun and a silencer during a search operation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí from the Blanchardstown District Drugs Unit found a Makarov semi-automatic pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition and a silencer. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereA firearm was seized in Dublin 11. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe search was of a residence in Finglas, Dublin 11. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe search took place in Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe seizure took place on Saturday, 3 February 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe search took place at about 5pm on Saturday 3 February 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe search took place on Saturday afternoon. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenGardaí located the firearm at about 5pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • weapon13 rounds of ammunition and a silencer were also seized. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí from the Blanchardstown District Drugs Unit conducted the search. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized items are being analysed by the Ballistics Section of the Garda National Technical Bureau. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were investigating organised crime activity in north Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe seized items will be analysed by the Ballistics Section of the Garda National Technical Bureau. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe man was released from Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939, and then charged. (garda.ie)
  • courtHe is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court number 2, on 5 February 2024 at 10:30 am. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe man is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in West Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe Makarov model has been used in numerous gun attacks linked to organised crime in the capital in previous years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA man was arrested at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe arrested man is being held at a west Dublin Garda station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, first report
    Gardaí seize handgun and silencer in organised crime investigation

    Reports the seizure of a handgun, ammunition and a silencer in Finglas, the arrest of a man in his 40s, and that the items will be analysed by ballistics specialists.

    suspect, 40s, male
  2. 3 Feb2024
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Firearm Seized and Arrest, Finglas, Dublin 11, 3rd February 2024

    Garda press release with no names. No existing case matches this search, firearm seizure and arrest.

    suspect, 40s, male
  3. 3 Feb2024
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance - Firearm Seized and Arrest, Finglas, Dublin 11, 3rd February 2024

    Garda.ie notice confirming the arrest, release from Section 30 and charge, and the court date. No existing case covers this firearm seizure.

    accused, 40s, male