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. 0247Possession of firearms, possession of ammunition, possession of drugs for sale or supply, simple possession of drugs · Co. Limerick · 22 Sep 2026

Limerick taxi driver John O'Neill remanded in custody over firearms and cocaine charges

On 22 September 2026, gardaí from the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit searched a residence at Haymarket, Cathedral Place, Limerick City, and seized four Glock Luger pistols, ammunition, cannabis edibles worth over €127,000, cocaine, and cash. John O'Neill, a 64-year-old Limerick taxi driver, was arrested while driving at Roxboro Road and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. He was charged on 23 September with possession of the firearms and ammunition and with possessing cocaine for sale or supply and simple possession. On 24 September 2026, O'Neill appeared at Limerick District Court, made no reply when charged, and was remanded in custody, with DPP directions set for 29 September.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested22 Sep
    2 reports
  3. Charged23 Sep
  4. In court24 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Four Glock Luger pistols, 13 rounds of 9mm Luger CBC ammunition, four gun magazines, cannabis edibles worth over €127,000, 37.9g of cocaine (valued at €4,500 by gardaí or €3,790 in court), and cash were seized from a bedroom.
Where
The search was conducted at Haymarket, Cathedral Place, Limerick City, and the suspect was arrested while driving a 132-registered car at Roxboro Road, Limerick City.
When
The operation took place on 22 September 2026.
Investigation
  • The operation was conducted by the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit assisted by other regional and local units as part of a crackdown aimed at disrupting the supply of illegal drugs in the Midwest.
  • The seized firearms are to undergo further technical analysis and the drugs are to be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland.
Charges
John O'Neill, a 64-year-old Limerick taxi driver, was charged with four counts of possession of Glock Luger pistols, one count of possession of 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one count of possessing cocaine for sale or supply, and one count of simple possession of cocaine.
In court
O'Neill appeared at Limerick District Court on 24 September 2026, made no reply when charged, and was remanded in custody, with DPP directions set for 29 September 2026.
Other details
The suspect was detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
41 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFour firearms were seized from the residence. (garda.ie)
  • whatAmmunition was seized alongside the firearms. (garda.ie)
  • whatSuspected cannabis edibles with an estimated value of over €127,000 were seized. (garda.ie)
  • whatSuspected cocaine with an estimated value of €4,500 was seized. (garda.ie)
  • whatA quantity of cash was seized. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFour semi-automatic handguns were seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAmmunition was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCannabis edibles worth over €127,000 were seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCocaine worth €4,500 was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 60s was arrested (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFour firearms and over €131,500 of drugs were seized in Limerick city (garda.ie)
  • whatJohn O'Neill is a 64-year-old Limerick taxi driver. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGlock pistols, ammunition, four gun magazines and 37.9g of cocaine were found in the bedroom. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereA domestic residence in Limerick city was searched under warrant. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe operation took place in Limerick city (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA domestic residence was searched under warrant (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe search was conducted at Haymarket, Cathedral Place, Limerick City. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHe was arrested while driving a 132-registered car at Roxboro Road in Limerick city. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe operation was carried out on 22 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place on 22 September 2026 (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was conducted by the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit assisted by other regional and local units. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized firearms will be subject to further technical analysis. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations into the matter are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe suspect is detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit and other units conducted the operation (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe crackdown was aimed at disrupting the supply of illegal drugs in the Midwest (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe firearms will be subject to further technical analysis (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations remain ongoing (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA male in his 60s was arrested in connection with the investigation (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí from the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit carried out the search. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe suspect has been charged (garda.ie)
  • chargeFour counts of possession of four Glock Luger pistols. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOne count of possession of 13 rounds of 9mm Luger calibre CBC ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOne count of possessing €3,790 worth of cocaine for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOne count of simple possession of the cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe suspect is due to appear at Limerick District Court on 24 September 2026 at 10:30 am (garda.ie)
  • courtO'Neill made no reply when charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA man in his 60s was arrested and conveyed to a Garda Station in Limerick city. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe man is being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. (garda.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Sep2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Gardaí found guns, ammunition and drugs in taxi driver’s bedroom, court told

    Reports the bail hearing at Limerick District Court where O'Neill was remanded in custody; details the search, items seized, his admissions, and the DPP directions date of 29 September 2026.

    accused, 64, male, irish (judged from name)
  2. 23 Sep2026
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    23/09/2026 Update (1) Court Appearance - Four firearms and over €131,500 of drugs seized, Limerick city, Tuesday 22nd September 2026

    Confirms the suspect has been charged and provides his court appearance date and time at Limerick District Court.

    suspect, 60s, male
  3. 23 Sep2026
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man, 60s, arrested after Garda swoop nets deadly handguns, ammunition and drugs

    Initial Garda press release confirming four semi-automatic handguns, ammunition, cannabis edibles worth over €127,000, cocaine worth €4,500 and cash seized; suspect detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007; firearms to undergo technical analysis and drugs to be sent to FSI.

    suspect, 60s, male
  4. 22 Sep2026
    Arrestedgarda.ie, first report
    22/09/2026 Arrest - Four firearms and over €131,500 of drugs seized, Limerick city, Tuesday 22nd September 2026

    Initial Garda press release reporting the arrest and seizure following a drugs operation in Limerick city.

    suspect, 60s, male