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. 7244Illegal fireworks and cocaine possession · Co. Limerick · 28 Oct 2023

Two men arrested over illegal fireworks and cocaine in Limerick

Gardaí seized €2,500 of illegal fireworks, a canister of pepper spray and €700 of cocaine during a search of a premises in Limerick on Friday, 28 October 2023, ahead of Halloween. The raid was carried out as part of Operation Tombola, which targets the supply of illegal fireworks and began earlier in October. Two men were arrested in connection with the seizure and later released without charge. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested29 Oct
    2 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized €2,500 of illegal fireworks, a canister of pepper spray and €700 of cocaine during a search of a premises.
Where
The search took place in Limerick, though the specific location within the county or city has not been disclosed.
When
The raid was carried out on Friday, 28 October 2023, ahead of Halloween.
Weapon
A canister of pepper spray was among the items seized.
Investigation
  • The raid was part of Operation Tombola, which targets the supply of illegal fireworks and began earlier in October.
  • Two men were arrested in connection with the seizure and later released without charge.
  • A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized fireworks worth €2,500 following a search of a premises. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPepper spray and €700 of cocaine were also found during the raid. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized €2,500 of illegal fireworks, pepper spray and €700 of cocaine. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized around €2,500 of illegal fireworks. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized around €700 of cocaine. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe seizure took place in Limerick. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe location of the seizure within County or City Limerick has not been disclosed. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe raid was carried out ahead of Halloween. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe search took place on a Friday. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place the day before the article was published. (corkbeo.ie)
  • weaponA canister of pepper spray was among the items seized. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationThe raid was part of Operation Tombola. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationTwo men were arrested in connection with the seizure and later released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationOperation Tombola targets the supply of illegal fireworks and began earlier in the month. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationTwo men were arrested and later released without charge, pending a file to the DPP. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe seizure was part of Operation Tombola. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationOperation Tombola began earlier in October and targets the supply of illegal fireworks. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherTwo men were arrested. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe two men were later released without charge, pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Oct2023
    Arrestedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Fireworks, cocaine and weapon seized by Gardai in Limerick ahead of Halloween

    Reports a Limerick seizure of fireworks, cocaine and pepper spray on 28 October 2023, that two men were arrested and released without charge, and that a file is going to the DPP.

    suspect, malesuspect, male
  2. 29 Oct2023
    Arrestedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Two arrested as Limerick gardai seize illegal fireworks and cocaine

    Adds that the search was on Friday as part of Operation Tombola, that two men were arrested and released without charge pending a DPP file, and that the location within Limerick has not been disclosed.

    suspect, malesuspect, male
  3. 28 Oct2023
    Otheririshmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí seize €2,500 stash of illegal fireworks ahead of Halloween

    Original report of the Limerick search as part of Operation Tombola. The two men arrested were released without charge and a file has gone to the DPP. The article also mentions a separate Sligo seizure and a Roscrea seizure, which are not part of this case.

    suspect, malesuspect, male