Ireland Case No. 10175Possession of firearms and ammunition (Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990) · Co. Limerick · 22 Feb 2023
Man jailed over rifles, improvised firearm and bulletproof vest found at Limerick home
On February 22, 2023, gardaí searched the Thomondgate home in Limerick city of Michael O'Callaghan, a 23-year-old man, and found two rifles, an improvised firearm, ammunition and a bulletproof vest. Mr O'Callaghan was arrested and admitted owning the items during interview. He later pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, an improvised firearm and two rifles under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. A sentencing report gives conflicting sentences: one says three years' imprisonment, while the other says four years with the final year suspended for six years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced2 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael O'Callaghan pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, an improvised firearm and two rifles.
- Where
- Mr O'Callaghan has an address at Distillery View, Thomondgate, Limerick city.
- When
- Gardaí searched Mr O'Callaghan's residence in Thomondgate on February 22, 2023.
- Cause
- Mr O'Callaghan said he acquired the weapons because he was paranoid and feared for his safety.
- Weapon
- Gardaí found two black air rifles and an improvised firearm hidden in a coat sleeve in the upstairs bedroom.
- A bulletproof vest and one round of ammunition were also found during the search.
- Investigation
- Mr O'Callaghan was arrested and admitted being the owner of the items during interview.
- Charges
- Mr O'Callaghan pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, an improvised firearm and two rifles under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
- In court
- The firearm did not fire when tested by ballistics experts, and there was no evidence that any of the weapons were used or brandished.
- The judge said Mr O'Callaghan had high culpability because he sought out the weapons for his own use.
- In mitigation, the judge highlighted Mr O'Callaghan's early guilty plea and heard he has since cleaned himself up after living in England with his grandfather.
- Sentence
- Sources differ on the sentence: one says three years' imprisonment, the other says four years with the final year suspended for six years.
- Other details
- Mr O'Callaghan admitted being a drug user and had been receiving threats over outstanding debts.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael O’Callaghan pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, an improvised firearm and two rifles. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe accused has an address at Distillery View, Thomondgate, Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenGardaí searched Mr O’Callaghan’s residence in Thomondgate on February 22, 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe accused said he acquired the weapons because he was paranoid and feared for his safety. (limerickleader.ie)
- weaponGardaí found two black air rifles and an improvised firearm hidden in a coat sleeve in the upstairs bedroom. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationMr O’Callaghan was arrested and admitted being the owner of the items during interview. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge noted the firearm did not fire when tested by ballistics experts. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge noted there was no evidence that any of the weapons were used or brandished. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said the accused had high culpability because he sought out the weapons for his own use. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtIn mitigation, the judge highlighted the accused's early guilty plea. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe accused was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a four-year prison sentence, with the final year suspended for six years. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherA bulletproof vest and one round of ammunition were also found during the search. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe accused admitted to being a drug user and had been receiving threats over outstanding debts. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe court heard the accused has since cleaned himself up after living in England with his grandfather. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Apr2026‘Paranoid’ drug user jailed over guns and bulletproof vest found in raid at Limerick home
Sentencing report. The article gives two different sentences: the opening line says three years' imprisonment, while the body says a four-year sentence with the final year suspended for six years. The incident date is the date of the garda search, as no other offence date is given.
convicted, Michael O'Callaghan, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael O'Callaghan