Friday 30 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. 15174Drug trafficking and firearms possession (possession of cocaine for sale or supply, proceeds of crime, possession of three Glock 17 pistols) · Co. Kilkenny · 3 Nov 2023

Man jailed for 10 years over drugs, cash and guns found at Kilkenny home

Paul Bourke (56), an Irishman, was arrested in Finglas, Co Dublin, after gardaí saw him dropping packages in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas during an operation that began with a confidential tip-off. Offences took place on 3 November 2023 at various locations, including his home at Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, where cocaine worth €1,776,207 and three Glock 17 pistols were found. Bourke pleaded guilty to eight counts, including possession of cocaine for sale or supply, possession of €18,100 in proceeds of crime and possession of three pistols. On 16 December 2024 he was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to ten years in prison, backdated to when he first went into custody the previous year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Dec
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Cocaine worth €1,776,207 was found in an outhouse at Bourke's Kilkenny home.
  • Cannabis worth €19,000 was also found.
Other details
  • €18,100 in cash was found in Bourke's van when he was arrested in Finglas.
  • When interviewed, Bourke admitted distributing drugs around the country after an opportunity arose about a year earlier.
  • The judge described Bourke as a wholesaler and distributor of drugs and took into account his guilty plea, co-operation with gardaí, work history and lack of relevant convictions.
Where
The offences took place in various locations, including Bourke's home at Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, an address at Ballygall Parade in Finglas, and addresses in Tallaght and Ashbourne, Co Dublin.
When
The offences took place on 3 November 2023.
Weapon
Three Glock 17 semi-automatic pistols were found in a box at the Kilkenny home.
Investigation
  • An operation involving the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau was launched after a confidential tip-off.
  • Bourke was seen dropping packages in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas and was then arrested in Finglas.
Charges
Bourke pleaded guilty to eight counts relating to possession of cocaine for sale or supply, possession of €18,100 in proceeds of crime and possession of three Glock 17 pistols.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Bourke was sentenced to ten years in prison, after the judge set a headline sentence of 15 years and reduced it for mitigating factors.
  • The sentence was backdated to when Bourke first went into custody the previous year.
30 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCocaine worth €1,776,207 was found in an outhouse at Bourke's home. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatCannabis worth €19,000 was also found. (tipperarylive.ie, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • what€18,100 in cash was found in Bourke's van when he was arrested. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereBourke's home was at Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place in various locations, including Bourke's home at Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on November 3, 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 3 November 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeWhen interviewed, Bourke admitted distributing drugs around the country after an opportunity arose about a year earlier. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • weaponThree Glock 17 semi-automatic pistols were found in a box at the home. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • weaponThree Glock 17 semi-automatic pistols were found in a box at the Kilkenny home. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationAn operation involving the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau was launched after a confidential tip-off. (tipperarylive.ie, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationBourke was seen dropping packages in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas and was then arrested in Finglas. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeBourke pleaded guilty to eight counts relating to possession of cocaine for sale or supply, proceeds of crime and three Glock 17 pistols. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeBourke pleaded guilty to eight counts relating to possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeBourke pleaded guilty to possessing €18,100 in cash that was the proceeds of crime. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeBourke pleaded guilty to possessing three Glock 17 pistols. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (tipperarylive.ie, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceBourke was sentenced to ten years in prison. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 15 years and reduced it to 10 years for mitigation. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when Bourke first went into custody last year. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentencePaul Bourke was jailed for 10 years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 15 years and reduced it to 10 years for mitigating factors. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when Bourke first went into custody the previous year. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherBourke was arrested in Finglas after packages were dropped in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherBourke made admissions to gardaí that he was distributing drugs around the country. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe judge described Bourke as a wholesaler and distributor of drugs. (tipperarylive.ie, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge took into account Bourke's guilty plea, co-operation with gardaí, work history and lack of relevant convictions. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherCash of €18,100 was found in Bourke's van when he was arrested in Finglas. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherCocaine with a street value of €1,776,207 was found in an outhouse at Bourke's Kilkenny home. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherBourke had two minor previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2024
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Man jailed for over €1.7 million in drugs and guns found at his Kilkenny home

    Reports the sentencing of Paul Bourke at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, including the search of his Kilkenny home and the seized drugs and guns.

    convicted, Paul Bourke, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Bourke
  2. 16 Dec2024
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, follow-up
    BREAKING: Man with address on Kilkenny/Tipperary border jailed for ten years

    Reports the sentence of ten years, the judge's reasoning, and the offences' locations, drugs and guns found.

    convicted, Paul Bourke, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Bourke