Ireland Case No. 13274Unauthorised possession of a firearm · Co. Longford · 19 Aug 2024
Man directed to pay charity over unauthorised firearm found on Longford bypass
Grzegorz Kurkul, 52, pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to unauthorised possession of a firearm after an air rifle was found in his car on the N5 Bypass Longford. Judge Bernadette Owens directed him to pay €500 to the Little Blue Heroes charity and ordered the air rifle destroyed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports18 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe firearm was found on the back seat of his car during a roadside stop on the N5 Bypass Longford in Mullagh. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereA firearm was found on the back seat of his car while he was spoken to on the roadside on the N5 Bypass Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence date was 19 August 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offence was committed on 19 August 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponTesting identified the firearm as a .177 air rifle. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationBallistic analysis found the rifle was over the calibration limit. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationKurkul denied owning the firearm but admitted it was in his possession at the time. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe firearm was seized by Garda Sean Harrison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationBallistic testing found the firearm was a .177 over 4.5 millimetre calibre cross advantage air rifle. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeKurkul pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to unauthorised possession of a firearm. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtKurkul had no previous convictions other than some road traffic matters. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Bernadette Owens considered the circumstances before making her directions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Owens ordered the air rifle to be destroyed. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Bernadette Owens directed Kurkul to pay €500 to the Little Blue Heroes charity by November 16. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherKurkul was arrested that day for a separate alleged offence. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherHe was arrested that day for a separate alleged offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe air rifle's muzzle energy meant it would require a firearms certificate. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherKurkul is described as a Polish-born, married father of two who has lived in Ireland for several years. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jul2025Court hears hunting is ‘passion’ of man in the Midlands found with ‘unauthorised’ firearm
Court report on the sentencing: a guilty plea, the firearm's ballistic classification, the €500 charity payment by November 16 and the order to destroy the air rifle. No existing case matched.
convicted, Grzegorz Kurkul, 52, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Grzegorz Kurkul - 4 Jul2025Longford court hears hunting is ‘passion’ of man found with ‘unauthorised’ firearm
Adds the court hearing details: the guilty plea, the arresting sergeant's account, ballistic findings, the defence submissions, the €500 charity payment due by November 16, and the order to destroy the air rifle.
convicted, Grzegorz Kurkul, 52, male, namedGrzegorz Kurkul