Two brothers refused bail over 3D-printed gun seized in Charleville, Co Cork
Gardaí stopped and searched a car at a service station in Charleville, Co. Cork, at about 11pm on 20 August 2025, finding three firearms including a loaded .22 calibre 3D-printed handgun and an AK-47 rifle, along with ammunition and approximately €800 worth of suspected diamorphine. brothers Gary Walsh, 40, and Damien Walsh, 32, were arrested and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. Both were charged with possessing the 3D-printed pistol and ammunition for the gun, and the State alleged Gary Walsh was involved in sourcing and supplying firearms based on videos and WhatsApp voice recordings found on his phone. Both men were refused bail at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on 22 August 2025 and remanded in custody by Judge Monika Leech to appear again by video link the following Tuesday.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested20 Aug
2 reports - Chargednot reported
- In court22 Aug
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí stopped and searched a car at a service station in Charleville, Co. Cork, at about 11pm on 20 August 2025, finding three firearms, ammunition, and approximately €800 worth of suspected diamorphine.
- A loaded .22 calibre 3D-printed handgun, concealed in a black plastic refuse sack, was found in the space between the seats by the handbrake and confirmed as a viable firearm.
- An AK-47 rifle was also recovered from the car.
- Where
- The car stop took place at Rathgoggin South, Charleville, Co. Cork, and follow-up searches were carried out in Cork city and Limerick county on 21 August 2025, yielding further ammunition.
- When
- The car was stopped at approximately 11pm on Wednesday 20 August 2025.
- Investigation
- Both men were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, and all firearms were sent to Dublin for ballistics examination while the drugs were sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
- The State alleged Gary Walsh was involved in the sourcing and supply of firearms based on videos and WhatsApp voice recordings found on his mobile phone.
- Charges
- Both men were charged with possessing a .22 calibre 3D-printed pistol and possessing ammunition for the gun.
- In court
- Both brothers were refused bail at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Friday 22 August 2025.
- Judge Monika Leech remanded both men in custody to appear again at Mallow District Court the following Tuesday by video link.
- Sentence
- The offences carried a maximum penalty of 14 years upon conviction.
- Other details
- Gardaí believed the men were travelling from Limerick to Cork, and the defence said Damien Walsh fell asleep and did not hear the alleged supply conversation.
43 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThree firearms and ammunition were found during a search of the vehicle. (garda.ie)
- whatApproximately €800 worth of suspected diamorphine was seized from the occupants. (garda.ie)
- whatThe follow-up searches resulted in the seizure of further ammunition. (garda.ie)
- whatTwo men were arrested after guns and ammunition were found in their car in north Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whatA loaded 3D-printed handgun was recovered from the car (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn AK-47 rifle was recovered from the car (irishtimes.com)
- whatAbout €800 worth of heroin was recovered during the search of the car (irishtimes.com)
- whatA further quantity of ammunition was recovered from the follow-up searches (irishtimes.com)
- whatA loaded 3D printed handgun was found in the space between the seats by the handbrake. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe 3D printed handgun was a viable firearm. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe gun was concealed in a black plastic refuse sack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was alleged Damien Walsh was present in the car at the time of the supply conversation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGary Walsh was driving an Opel Corsa with Damien Walsh in the passenger seat. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car was stopped at a service station in Charleville, Co. Cork. (garda.ie)
- whereThe car was stopped and searched at a filling station in Charleville (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe men were brought to Mallow Garda station for questioning (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car stop took place at Rathgoggin South, Charleville. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe car was stopped at approximately 11pm on 20 August 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe car was stopped at about 11pm on Wednesday night (20 August 2025) (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe court appearance is scheduled for 3pm on Friday 22 August 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe car was stopped and searched at 11pm on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe men were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (garda.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches were executed at domestic residences in Co. Cork on 21 August 2025. (garda.ie)
- investigationAll firearms seized will be subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis. (garda.ie)
- investigationAll drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (garda.ie)
- investigationBoth guns were sent to Dublin for ballistics examination to determine if they were viable firearms (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe heroin was sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFollow-up searches were carried out in Cork city and Limerick county (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe men were detained under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, allowing up to 72 hours before charge or release (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe allegation was based on videos and WhatsApp voice recordings found on Gary Walsh's mobile phone. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA voice recording showed Gary Walsh having a conversation with a third party about supplying him with a gun. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe two men have been charged in connection with the firearms and ammunition seizure. (garda.ie)
- chargeBoth men were charged with two firearms offences each. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth men were charged with possessing a .22 calibre 3D printed pistol. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth men were charged with possessing ammunition for the gun. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe State alleged Gary Walsh was involved in the sourcing and supply of firearms. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThey are due to appear before a special sitting of Mallow District Court. (garda.ie)
- courtTwo brothers were refused bail at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Monika Leech remanded both men in custody to appear again at Mallow District Court next Tuesday by video link. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe offences carried a maximum penalty of 14 years upon conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth occupants were men in their 30s and 40s respectively. (garda.ie)
- otherGardaí believed the men were travelling from Limerick to Cork (irishtimes.com)
- otherDefence said Damien Walsh fell asleep and did not hear the conversation about supplying firearms. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Aug2025Two brothers in court over seizure of 3D printed gun in Co Cork
Court appearance at Mallow District Court where both brothers were remanded in custody; State alleges Gary Walsh sourced and supplied firearms based on video and WhatsApp evidence; defence says Damien Walsh fell asleep during the alleged supply conversation.
accused, Gary Walsh, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary Walshaccused, Damien Walsh, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Damien Walsh - 22 Aug2025Court Appearance - Seizure of Firearms and Ammunition, Two Arrests, Charleville, Co. Cork - 22th August 2025
Confirms the two men have been charged and are due to appear before a special sitting of Mallow District Court at 3pm on 22 August 2025.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male - 21 Aug2025Gardaí arrest two in Cork after discovering guns and ammunition in car
Provides details of the initial arrest: the specific weapons recovered (3D-printed handgun and AK-47), the heroin seizure, follow-up searches in Cork city and Limerick county, and the legal basis for detention (section 30 Offences Against the State Act).
suspect, 40, malesuspect, 32, male - 20 Aug2025Seizure of Firearms and Ammunition, Two Arrests, Charleville, Co. Cork - 20th August 2025
Garda press release confirming the car stop, specifying three firearms and ammunition found in the vehicle, approximately €800 of suspected diamorphine seized, detention under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, and follow-up searches on 21 August yielding further ammunition.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male