Ireland Man (20) charged over handgun brandished outside Ballymun garda station
Josh Larkin, a 20-year-old man, was charged with weapons offences after a handgun was brandished at people at Gateway Crescent, outside Ballymun garda station, in Dublin. The articles do not give the incident date. Gardaí say the handgun was later picked up by a six-year-old child after being dumped in a bush and accidentally discharged by an 11-year-old boy, and a child was treated for a shoulder injury. Larkin was arrested at Sillogue Park, where he is also charged with possessing cannabis on the same date, and at Dublin District Court Judge Brendan O'Reilly granted him bail of €5,000 over garda opposition, with €1,500 in cash to be lodged. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail and is due at Cloverhill District Court on 7 May.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Josh Larkin was charged with possessing a handgun and producing it in the course of a dispute.
- A man brandished a handgun at people and fled on an e-scooter when approached.
- Where
- The dispute took place at Gateway Crescent, outside Ballymun garda station.
- When
- The articles do not state the incident date; the first report is dated 1 April 2026.
- Cause
- The incident was connected to a local gang feud that has already led to other weapons and violent incidents.
- Weapon
- The accused was charged with possessing a black handgun, which was dumped in a bush and is unaccounted for.
- Other details
- A six-year-old child picked up the handgun, an 11-year-old boy accidentally discharged it, and a child was treated for a shoulder injury from the recoil.
- It was said that the accused made no reply when charged at Ballymun garda station.
- Investigation
- Gardaí circulated the man's description and gave chase to Sillogue Park, where the accused was allegedly arrested.
- Ballymun gardaí opened an incident room and recovered CCTV from seven locations.
- Gardaí took swabs from the accused to check for gun residue, and the results are not yet available.
- Charges
- Larkin also faces a charge of possessing cannabis at Sillogue Park on the same date.
- In court
- Judge Brendan O'Reilly granted bail over garda opposition, setting it at €5,000 with €1,500 in cash to be lodged by Larkin.
- Larkin was remanded in custody with consent to bail, is due at Cloverhill District Court on 7 May, and was granted legal aid.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJosh Larkin was charged with weapons offences for possessing a handgun and producing it in the course of a dispute. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA man brandished a handgun at people, then fled on an e-scooter when approached. (thejournal.ie)
- whatAn 11-year-old boy accidentally discharged the gun. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe dispute took place at Gateway Crescent outside Ballymun garda station. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe handgun was picked up by a six-year-old child after being dumped in a bush. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe incident was connected to a local gang feud. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe accused was charged with possessing a black handgun and producing it. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí circulated the man's description and gave chase to Sillogue Park, where the accused was allegedly arrested. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí said the handgun is unaccounted for and believed to have fallen into criminal hands. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationBallymun gardaí opened an incident room and recovered CCTV from seven locations. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí took swabs from the accused to check for gun residue, with results not yet available. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeLarkin also faces a connected charge for possessing cannabis at Sillogue Park on the same date. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Brendan O'Reilly granted bail over garda opposition, with cash lodgements required before release. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge O'Reilly set bail at €5,000, of which €1,500 in cash must be lodged by Larkin. (thejournal.ie)
- courtLarkin was remanded in custody with consent to bail and is due at Cloverhill District Court on 7 May. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA child was treated for a shoulder injury from the gun recoil. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGrimes said the accused made no reply when charged at Ballymun garda station. (thejournal.ie)
- otherLegal aid was granted. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Apr2026Man (20) accused of 'casually' brandishing handgun later fired by child in Ballymun
Reports the charges against Josh Larkin, the connected cannabis charge, the gang-feud background, and the bail hearing at Dublin District Court, with the bail conditions and a return date at Cloverhill District Court on 7 May.
accused, Josh Larkin, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Josh Larkinvictim