Ireland Case No. 0004Drug possession · Co. Dublin
High Court denies bail to Dublin man charged with firearm possession
Stephen Ennis, a 36-year-old man from Crumlin, Dublin 12, was arrested at his home on 31 July 2026 after allegedly sending an anonymous WhatsApp message containing a photograph of a loaded pistol to his ex-partner on 30 July. Gardaí seized a .22-calibre Makarov pistol with five rounds of ammunition and a Samsung phone during a search under warrant, part of an operation targeting organised crime groups. Ennis was charged with possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 3 August, where bail was denied and he was remanded in custody. On 5 August, a High Court judge dismissed his habeas corpus application for bail after his solicitor refused to represent him in the District Court over a legal aid fees dispute.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested1 Aug
4 reports - Charged1 Aug
3 reports - In court2 Aug
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Stephen Ennis allegedly sent an anonymous WhatsApp message containing a photograph of a loaded pistol to his ex-partner on 30 July 2026, and the woman recognised the phone number and the bedroom in the picture.
- A loaded .22-calibre Makarov pistol with five rounds of ammunition was found in a dishcloth in a plastic set of drawers at his home.
- Where
- The search under warrant was conducted at a domestic residence on Cashel Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12.
- When
- The search and arrest took place on Friday 31 July 2026.
- Weapon
- A .22-calibre Makarov pistol with five rounds of ammunition and a Samsung mobile phone were seized.
- Investigation
- The operation was conducted by Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword Garda Stations, supported by the Armed Support Unit, as part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime groups.
- The seized firearm is subject to technical analysis and a file with the DPP with further charges recommended.
- Charges
- Ennis was charged with possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
- In court
- Ennis appeared before Judge John Brennan at the Criminal Courts of Justice on 3 August 2026, where bail was denied and he was remanded in custody to appear for directions on 10 August.
- On 5 August 2026, High Court Judge Michael Twomey dismissed Ennis's habeas corpus application for bail after his solicitor refused to represent him in the District Court over a legal aid fees dispute.
- Other details
- Ennis has more than 70 previous convictions including for serious assault.
- Gardaí have video footage of Ennis attempting to shoot a firearm in his garden, recorded two weeks before the arrest.
76 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA firearm and five rounds of ammunition were seized during the search (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whatA firearm and five rounds of ammunition were seized. (garda.ie)
- whatA male in his 30s was arrested. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí found a handgun with ammunition during a search operation in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA male aged in his 30s was arrested. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA firearm and five rounds of ammunition were seized from a home in Crumlin (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested in connection with a firearm and ammunition seizure (garda.ie)
- whatA firearm and five rounds of ammunition were seized during a search under warrant. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man allegedly sent an anonymous WhatsApp message to a woman containing a photograph of a pistol. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí in north Dublin began a major investigation after the woman reported receiving the worrying message. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearm in suspicious circumstances (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly sent a picture of a loaded firearm to his ex-partner by text on 30 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe ex-partner recognised the phone number and the bed in the picture (irishtimes.com)
- whatA loaded .22-calibre Makarov pistol with five rounds of ammunition was found in a dishcloth in a plastic set of drawers (irishtimes.com)
- whatA Samsung mobile phone believed to have been used in the incident was seized (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí have video footage of Ennis attempting to shoot a firearm in his garden, recorded two weeks before the arrest (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe search was conducted at a domestic residence in Crumlin, Dublin 12 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe man is detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe search was at a domestic residence in Crumlin, Dublin 12. (garda.ie)
- whereHe is detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. (garda.ie)
- whereThe handgun and ammunition were found in the Crumlin area of Dublin city. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe seizure took place in the Crumlin area of Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe home searched is in Crumlin, Dublin (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place in Crumlin, Dublin 12 (garda.ie)
- whereThe man was detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe man's home is in Crumlin, Dublin 12, south Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereStephen Ennis lives on Cashel Road, Crumlin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe search took place on Friday 31 July 2026. (garda.ie)
- whenThe search operation was carried out on a Friday. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe seizure occurred on a Friday. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 31 July 2026 (garda.ie)
- whenThe court appearance is scheduled for 10:30am on 3 August 2026 (garda.ie)
- whenThe seizure was made on Friday, July 31, 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe raid and arrest took place on Friday 31 July 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenEnnis was arrested at his home on 31 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- weaponGardaí found a handgun with five rounds of ammunition. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe gun was found inside the home wrapped in a towel, with a magazine of about four rounds. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe operation was conducted by the Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword Garda Stations (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was supported by the Armed Support Unit (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation is part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime groups (irishmirror.ie, garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe seized firearm is now subject to technical analysis (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was conducted by the Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword Garda Stations, supported by the ASU. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe seized firearm is subject to technical analysis. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, thejournal.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí said the seizure was part of an ongoing operation targeting organised crime groups. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationSerious Crime Units from Coolock and Swords Garda Stations were involved, along with the Armed Support Unit. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationSerious Crime Units from Coolock and Swords Garda Stations were involved in the operation with the Armed Support Unit. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí said the search was part of an ongoing operation targeting organised crime groups. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe seized firearm is undergoing technical analysis and investigations are ongoing. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe operation was conducted by Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword Garda Stations supported by the Armed Support Unit (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe home was searched under warrant (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe search was part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime groups. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí from Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword and the Armed Support Unit carried out the seizure. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was conducted by Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Swords Garda Stations, supported by the Armed Support Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí obtained a search warrant after taking a statement from the ex-partner (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file with the DPP and further charges are being recommended (irishtimes.com)
- investigationEnnis made no reply when charged at Swords Garda station (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe man is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 (irishmirror.ie, garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeA man in his 30s has been charged. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeEnnis is accused of possessing an automatic pistol and ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday morning. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice Court No. 2 (garda.ie)
- courtThe man is due before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court No. 2) at 10:30am on Monday, 3 August 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe man is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court No. 2) at 10:30am on Monday 3 August 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtEnnis had no legal representation and represented himself in court (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail was denied and Ennis was remanded in custody (irishtimes.com)
- courtA High Court judge threw out a Dublin man's attempt to be released on bail because a solicitor refused to represent him in the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge ruled article 40 was not the appropriate remedy for an alleged unlawful detention caused by a solicitor choosing when to act based on fees. (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwomey dismissed two more habeas corpus cases later on Wednesday citing his decision in the Ennis case. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe man is held at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe man has more than 70 previous convictions including for serious assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEnnis's solicitor refused to represent him in the District Court due to a dispute with the Department of Justice regarding criminal legal aid fees. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSolicitors say the ruling is likely to undermine dozens of applications that could lead to the release of prisoners denied bail due to the strike. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Aug2026High Court judge throws out man’s bid for bail after solicitor refuses to act for him at District level
Reports Judge Twomey's dismissal of Ennis's habeas corpus application and two further cases, with solicitors warning the ruling could undermine dozens of similar applications arising from the legal aid solicitors' strike.
accused, Stephen Ennis, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Ennis - 3 Aug2026Man caught with loaded pistol after ‘sending photo of weapon to ex-partner’, court told
Court appearance before Judge John Brennan; bail denied; remanded to appear for directions on 10 August 2026; file with DPP and further charges recommended.
accused, Stephen Ennis, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Ennisvictim, female - 3 Aug2026Man charged as 'woman recognises room in menacing photo of gun sent to her'
Reports the charging of the suspect and his scheduled court appearance on 3 August 2026, details of the raid, and the woman's recognition of the bedroom in the photo.
suspect, 30s, malevictim, female - 2 Aug2026Man, 30s, due in court after firearm and ammunition seized
Initial report of the arrest, seizure and charging of a man in his 30s following a search under warrant targeting organised crime groups in Dublin.
suspect, 30s, male - 2 Aug202602/08/2026 Court Appearance: Firearm and Ammunition Seizure, Arrest, Crumlin, Dublin 12, 31st July 2026
Confirms the man has been charged and provides details of his upcoming court appearance at the Criminal Courts of Justice.
suspect, 30s, male - 1 Aug2026Man arrested after gun and ammunition seized from home in Crumlin
Reports the arrest and detention under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, identifies the units involved (Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword, Armed Support Unit), and confirms the firearm is subject to technical analysis.
suspect, 30s, male - 1 Aug2026Gardaí seize gun in search operation targeting organised crime in Dublin
Reports a Crumlin search in which a firearm, five rounds of ammunition and a magazine were seized and a man in his 30s was arrested. The article gives no charges or court details.
suspect, 30s, male - 1 Aug2026Man (30s) to appear in court after handgun and ammunition found in Crumlin, Dublin
First report of the case. It gives the charge, the court date and that the seizure was part of an organised crime operation. No existing case matched.
accused, 30s, male - 1 Aug202601/08/2026 Firearm and Ammunition Seizure, Arrest, Crumlin, Dublin 12, 31st July 2026
Original Garda press release confirming the arrest under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, the units involved (Serious Crime Units Coolock and Sword, ASU), and that the firearm is subject to technical analysis.
suspect, 30s, male - 1 Aug2026Gardai seize gun and ammo in Dublin
Provides the specific location (Crumlin, Dublin 12), the units involved (Serious Crime Units in Coolock and Sword, supported by ASU), and the legal basis for detention (Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939).
suspect, 30s, male