Sunday 1 November 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. 0109Possession of explosives and firearms · Co. Louth · 18 Oct 2026

Pipe bomb and firearms seized in Drogheda under investigation

On Sunday, 18 October 2026, Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit carried out a search on open land at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, as part of ongoing operations targeting organised criminal activity in the region. A viable pipe bomb was located and made safe by a Defence Forces EOD team, and two loaded firearms, a handgun and a machine gun, along with ammunition were also seized. The operation was assisted by members from Drogheda, the Armed Support Unit, and local and national Dog Units. No arrests have been made, and the seized items are subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis. Investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reported19 Oct
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A viable pipe bomb and two loaded firearms, a handgun and a machine gun, along with ammunition were seized during a search.
Where
The search was carried out on open land at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth.
When
The search took place on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
Investigation
  • The search was part of ongoing operations targeting organised criminal activity in the region, carried out by Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit.
  • The pipe bomb was made safe by a Defence Forces EOD team.
  • The operation was assisted by members from Drogheda, the Armed Support Unit, and local and national Dog Units.
  • No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
  • The seized items will be subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA viable pipe bomb was located during the search. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo loaded firearms, a handgun and a machine gun, were also located. (garda.ie)
  • whatAmmunition was also found. (garda.ie)
  • whatA pipe bomb and two firearms were seized during a search on open land in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA viable pipe bomb was located and made safe by a Defence Forces EOD team. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatTwo loaded firearms, a handgun and a machine gun, were located along with ammunition. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe search was carried out on open land at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe search took place on 18 October 2026. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe search took place on Sunday, 18 October 2026. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe search was part of ongoing operations targeting organised criminal activity in the region. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe search was carried out by Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit. (garda.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe pipe bomb was made safe by a Defence Forces EOD team. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was assisted by members from Drogheda, the Armed Support Unit and local and national Dog Units. (garda.ie)
  • investigationNo arrests have been made at this time. (garda.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe seized items will be subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis. (garda.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was part of ongoing operations targeting organised criminal activity in the region. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was carried out with assistance from Drogheda, the Armed Support Unit and local and national Dog Units. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Oct2026
    Reporteddundalkdemocrat.ie, its first report
    Pipe bomb and two firearms seized by gardaí in Louth

    First report of the search operation; details the items seized, the units involved and the ongoing investigation.

  2. 19 Oct2026
    Reportedgarda.ie, first report
    19/10/2026 Seizure of Pipe Bomb and 2 Firearms, Drogheda, Co Louth, 18th October 2026

    Garda press release reporting the seizure of a pipe bomb and two firearms during a search in Drogheda as part of an organised crime operation.