Ireland Case No. 4601Possession of firearms and cocaine · Co. Cork · 4 Nov 2025
Man in 40s arrested after firearms, cocaine and pipe bomb components seized in Cork
A man in his 40s was arrested after cocaine and three suspected firearms were seized from a vehicle at Lisanisky, Mallow, Co. Cork, on 4 November 2025. Follow-up searches at a home in Cork city later uncovered further firearms, ammunition and pipe bomb components.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested4 Nov
6 reports - Charged4 Nov
3 reports - In court8 Nov
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports133 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFirearms, ammunition and cocaine were seized in the investigation. (garda.ie)
- whatA search of the vehicle found cocaine, three suspected firearms and ammunition. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe follow-up searches seized shotgun cartridges, ammunition, pipe bomb components, firearm components, firearms and other items. (garda.ie)
- whatA search of the vehicle led to the seizure of cocaine. (garda.ie)
- whatThree firearms, ammunition and a small amount of cocaine were seized from a vehicle. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatA search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a quantity of cocaine. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatSheehan appeared before Cork District Court charged in connection with firearms and explosives offences. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatPaul Sheehan, 45, was charged with unlawful possession of firearms and firearm components. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA search of the vehicle led to the seizure of cocaine, three suspected firearms and ammunition. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe seizure took place in Mallow, Co Cork. (garda.ie)
- whereGardaí observed a vehicle acting suspiciously at Lisanisky, Mallow, Co. Cork. (garda.ie)
- whereThe alleged gun-making facility was run at the man's parents' home in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGardaí became suspicious of a car in north Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe man lives with his elderly parents in the Douglas area of Cork city. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGardaí stopped the vehicle near Lisanisky in Mallow. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereFollow-up searches were carried out at a home in Cork city. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe man was arrested in Mallow. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereFollow-up searches were carried out at a home in the Douglas area of Cork city. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereGardaí observed a vehicle acting suspiciously at Lisanisky, Mallow, on Tuesday night. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereSheehan has an address at Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereHe was arrested at Lisanisky in Mallow, Co Cork, the previous Tuesday. (corkbeo.ie)
- wherePaul Sheehan was arrested at Lisanisky in Mallow, Co Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was observed at Lisanisky, Mallow, Co. Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe seizure was on 4 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on Tuesday night, 4 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe vehicle was observed on Tuesday 4 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe discovery followed a car stop in Mallow on a Tuesday night at around 10.45pm. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThree off-duty detectives were returning to Mallow late on a Tuesday night when they saw a car weaving on the road. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe vehicle was observed on Tuesday night, 4 November 2025. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe man was arrested on Tuesday, 4 November. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on the night of Tuesday 4 November. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenSheehan was arrested at 6.18pm and charged at 6.57pm on 7 November. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe was formally charged at 6.57pm on 7 November at Mallow Garda Station. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenOne set of charges relates to an incident on 4 November at the Applegreen filling station in Mallow. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí observed a suspicious vehicle on Tuesday night, 4 November 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThree suspected firearms and ammunition were seized from the vehicle. (garda.ie, corkbeo.ie)
- weaponThree pistols and a quantity of ammunition were found in the stopped car. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA follow-up search of the house found up to 100 parts of decommissioned guns. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponHomemade pipe bombs were also found, and Army EOD was requested to make them safe. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponGardaí found three handguns, ammunition and cocaine in the car. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponUp to 100 gun parts were found at the family home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponHome-made pipe-bomb casings and fireworks were found at the family home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponPipe bomb components were among the items seized in the searches. (corkbeo.ie)
- weaponThree suspected firearms were seized from the vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponGardaí seized suspected shotgun cartridges, ammunition, pipe bomb components, firearm components, firearms and other items in the searches. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponOne charge concerns possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol. (corkbeo.ie)
- weaponPaul Sheehan is charged with possession of a slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponPaul Sheehan is charged with possession of three pipe bomb bodies. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponA pistol, a Glock slide, ammunition and cocaine were allegedly found when his car was stopped at Mallow. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA sawn-off shotgun was allegedly found during a search of his home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponPipe bomb bodies were allegedly found during a search of his home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponSearches seized suspected shotgun cartridges, ammunition, pipe bomb components, firearm components, firearms and other items. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA male in his 40s was arrested and taken to a Garda station in Co. Cork. (garda.ie)
- investigationHe is being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (garda.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches were carried out at a residence in Cork city on 5 and 6 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the scene. (garda.ie, corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe seized firearms and components are undergoing forensic and ballistic examination. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches were being conducted at a domestic residence in Cork city on 5 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- investigationDetectives are investigating whether the man was making viable firearms from decommissioned weapons at a workshop at the house. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationBallistics examiners were asked to check whether any of the weapons were viable. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOne line of inquiry is whether the man was supplying guns to a feuding faction in north Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe detectives followed the car to a petrol station. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe detectives noticed two bullet holes in a door of the car. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe 45-year-old driver was arrested for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí searched the man's family home and found a gun-making workshop. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was asked to make the seized devices safe. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda Ballistics Unit was asked to examine the firearms. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were continuing to question the man on Thursday morning. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe seized items will be sent for forensic and ballistic analysis. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí noticed a vehicle acting suspiciously in the Lisanisky area on the Tuesday night. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationThe man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí uncovered suspected shotgun cartridges, ammunition, pipe bomb components, firearm components and firearms during the search. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationThe items seized are subject to forensic and ballistic examination. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationOne man in his 40s was arrested and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches were carried out at a house in Cork city on Wednesday and Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHis arrest led to several follow-up searches at a house in Cork city. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationPaul Sheehan was held for questioning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrest led to follow-up searches at a house in Cork city. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí expect further firearms charges based on components found at his home. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí will recommend trial at the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFollow-up searches were carried out at a home in Cork city on 5 and 6 November 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe seized firearms and components are subject to forensic and ballistic examination, and investigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeA man in his 40s who was arrested in connection with the investigation has been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe man was arrested for firearms offences and taken to Mallow Garda station for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe man has been charged. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeA Garda spokesperson confirmed the arrested man has been charged. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSheehan was charged with unlawful possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol at the Applegreen Filling Station in Mallow on 4 November. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSheehan was charged with unlawful possession of a 9mm Luger slide for a semi-automatic Glock pistol in Mallow on 4 November. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSheehan was charged with unlawful possession of a .38 calibre deactivated Smith & Wesson revolver at his home in Douglas on 5 November. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSheehan was charged with unlawful possession of explosives, namely three pipe bomb casings, at the Douglas house on 5 November. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThree of the charges were brought under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and one under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSheehan faces four charges. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeOne charge was brought under the Explosive Substances Act of 1883. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with unlawful possession of a .32 calibre Beretta and a 9mm Glock slide at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow on 4 November. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargePaul Sheehan faces four charges in total. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePaul Sheehan was formally charged with the four offences at 6.57pm on 7 November at Mallow Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePaul Sheehan is charged with unlawful possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePaul Sheehan is charged with unlawful possession of the Beretta pistol and Glock slide at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow on 4 November. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePaul Sheehan is charged with unlawful possession of a deactivated .38 calibre revolver and three pipe bomb casings at Elm Drive, Douglas, on 5 November. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeOne charge was brought under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with unlawful possession of a .32-calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with unlawful possession of a 9mm Luger slide for a Glock pistol. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with unlawful possession of a .38-calibre deactivated six-shot Smith & Wesson revolver. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with possessing three pipe bomb casings at his home on 5 November. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe man is due to appear before a special sitting of the District Court in Cork city on Saturday 8 November 2025 at 2pm. (garda.ie)
- courtThe man was due to appear before a special sitting of the District Court in Cork city on Saturday, 8 November. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe man is due to appear before a special sitting of the District Court in Cork city on Saturday 8 November at 2pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge granted the garda application and remanded Sheehan in custody. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSheehan's solicitor said his client was not applying for bail at that point. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted Sheehan free legal aid. (irishtimes.com)
- courtGardaí sought a remand in custody. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe DPP instructed that all four charges remain before Cork District Court. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtJudge Carroll remanded Sheehan in custody to appear by video link on 12 November. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtPaul Sheehan appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtNo bail application was made at that stage, and the defence said one could be made at the next hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe made a second appearance at Cork District Court by video link on four charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSheehan made admissions at interview, which gardaí said was a concern. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail was refused due to the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was remanded in custody to appear again at Cork District Court on 26 November. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Carroll remanded Paul Sheehan in custody to appear by video link on 12 November. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man is being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. (garda.ie)
- otherThe man was previously investigated about 10 years ago over importing decommissioned guns and was given a caution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man's parents were moved into temporary accommodation while the house was searched. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man was investigated about 10 years earlier for importing guns from Europe and received an adult caution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA man in his 40s was arrested. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe suspected gun-making workshop was operated out of a home in Douglas. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe arrested man is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, which allows up to 72 hours' detention without charge. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe DPP has instructed that all four charges remain before Cork District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí allege Sheehan was engaged in the manufacture, alteration and production of firearms. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA man in his 40s was arrested and taken to a Garda station in Co. Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man was being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Nov2025Man arrested after firearms, cocaine, ammo and bomb making gear uncovered
First report of this incident. Adds the arrest under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, and the Cork city house searches on 5 and 6 November that found pipe bomb components and other weapons. No existing case matches.
suspect, 40s, male - 12 Nov2025Man allegedly engaged in ‘manufacture, alteration and production of firearms’, court hears
Second District Court appearance by video link. Gardaí expect further firearms charges and will recommend trial at the Special Criminal Court. The article adds the charge details, the bail refusal and the remand date.
accused, Paul Sheehan, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Sheehan - 8 Nov2025Man charged with firearms and explosives offences in Cork
Adds that Paul Sheehan was formally charged with four offences at Mallow Garda Station and appeared before Cork District Court, where he was remanded in custody. It also lists the specific firearms, pipe bomb components and locations in the charges.
accused, Paul Sheehan, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Sheehan - 8 Nov2025Cork man charged with firearms and explosives offences following Garda seizures
Adds that Sheehan was formally charged with four offences, the weapons and explosive items alleged, the locations of the alleged possession, the remand in custody to 12 November, and the Garda request for remand in custody.
accused, Paul Sheehan, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Sheehan - 8 Nov2025Man (45) charged with firearms and explosives offences
Adds that Sheehan was charged with four offences, that the court remanded him in custody, and details of the charges, the Douglas home address and the legal provisions used.
accused, Paul Sheehan, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Sheehan - 8 Nov2025Man due in court after firearms and cocaine seizure in Cork
Confirms the man arrested over the Lisanisky seizure has been charged, that he is due before a special sitting of Cork city District Court on 8 November 2025, and that follow-up searches at a Cork city house found pipe bomb components and other items.
accused, 40s, male - 8 Nov2025Man charged over 'gun making workshop' to appear before special court sitting
Adds that the man has been charged, the special District Court sitting on Saturday 8 November, his detention under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, the Douglas 'gun-making workshop' find, and the Army EOD attendance.
suspect, 40s, male - 7 Nov2025Firearms, explosives and ammo seized as Gardaí probe Cork 'gun-making workshop'
Adds that the follow-up searches uncovered a suspected gun-making workshop at a home in Douglas, that the search wrapped up on Thursday, and that the arrested man is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 for up to 72 hours without charge. Gives the Douglas location, which the existing case lists only as Cork city.
suspect, 40s, male - 6 Nov2025Suspected gun-maker arrested after gardaí saw bullet holes in his car door
Adds that the car had two bullet holes in a door, that the man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, that a gun-making workshop, gun parts and pipe-bomb casings were found at his family home in Douglas, Cork city, that Army EOD and Garda Ballistics Unit were called in, and that he had been investigated about 10 years earlier for importing guns.
suspect, 45, male - 5 Nov2025Man arrested over possible gun-making facility in parents’ Cork house
Adds that the search of the parents' house found up to 100 parts of decommissioned guns and homemade pipe bombs, that Army EOD was called, and that a line of inquiry is whether the man supplied guns to a feuding faction in north Cork. Does not name the suspect.
suspect, 45, male - 4 Nov2025Seizure of Firearms, Ammunition and Cocaine, 1 Arrest, Mallow, Cork- 4th November 2025
Official Garda press release. Adds that the man is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, and that follow-up searches at a Cork city residence on 5 November 2025 were attended by the Army EOD unit. It does not mention the pipe bomb components recorded in the existing case.
suspect, 40s, male - 4 Nov2025Update (1) - Seizure of Firearms, Ammunition and Cocaine, 1 Arrest, Mallow, Cork- 4th November 2025
Official garda.ie update (issued 7 November 2025) adds that follow-up searches at a Cork city residence on 5 and 6 November found shotgun cartridges, ammunition, pipe bomb components, firearm components and firearms, with Army EOD attending. The seized items are under forensic and ballistic examination and the man is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
suspect, 40s, male - 4 Nov2025Update (2): Court Appearance - Seizure of Firearms, Ammunition and Cocaine, 1 Arrest, Mallow, Cork - 4th November 2025
Adds that the arrested man has been charged and is due before a special sitting of Cork District Court on 8 November 2025 at 2pm. Confirms the Mallow location and that firearms and ammunition were seized along with cocaine.
accused, 40s, male