Wednesday 28 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. 5375Firearms trafficking (suspected participation in a criminal organisation) · Co. Louth

Two men charged after 18 firearms and about 900 rounds of ammunition seized in Ardee, Co Louth

On Friday 19 July 2024, gardaí from the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, supported by the Garda Emergency Response Unit, searched a premises at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth, and seized 18 firearms and about 900 rounds of ammunition. Two men were arrested on suspicion of participation in a criminal organisation to facilitate firearms trafficking: Mark McCourt, 32 or 33 (sources differ), of Edencrieve, Co Down, and Conor O'Brien, 27, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth. Both were charged at Drogheda Garda station with 23 charges each relating to possession of firearm components, including ammunition. On Wednesday 24 July 2024 they appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court, where neither applied for bail and both were remanded in custody to appear by video-link at Cloverhill District Court the following week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí seized six AR-15 assault rifles, 12 semi-automatic 9mm handguns and about 900 rounds of ammunition, 18 firearms in total.
  • The charges concern components that together make six AR-15 style rifles and 12 semi-automatic handguns.
Where
The seizure took place at a premises at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth.
When
The search of the premises began at about 2pm on Friday 19 July 2024, reported as last Friday in articles dated 24 July 2024.
Investigation
  • The Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau carried out the search, supported by the Garda Emergency Response Unit, as part of an ongoing intelligence-led operation targeting organised crime.
  • Follow-on searches were later carried out at several properties in County Louth.
  • Two men were arrested on suspicion of participation in the activities of a criminal organisation to facilitate firearms trafficking.
Charges
  • Mark McCourt was charged with 23 separate counts of possession of firearm components, including ammunition, and made no reply after caution.
  • Conor O'Brien (spelled O'Brian in one source) was charged with 23 counts and made no reply after caution.
  • Both men were charged at Drogheda Garda station.
In court
  • Both men appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on Wednesday evening, 24 July 2024.
  • No bail application was made and both men were remanded in custody.
  • Both men are to appear by video-link at Cloverhill District Court the following week, on a Wednesday according to one source.
Other details
  • Mark McCourt's age is given as 32 in one source and 33 in another, and he is listed as being from Edencrieve, Co Down; Conor O'Brien is listed as 27, from Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth.
  • Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the weapons would have been used to maim, kill and intimidate communities, and described them as the lifeblood of organised criminal groups who use violence in drug trafficking.
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men were charged with possession of components that make up six AR-15 rifles and 12 semi-automatic handguns (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe components would build six semi-automatic AR-15 style rifles and 12 semi-automatic pistols (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatApproximately 900 rounds of ammunition were seized along with the firearms (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTwo men appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of 18 firearms and over 900 rounds of ammunition in Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí seized six AR-15 assault rifles and 12 semi-automatic 9mm handguns. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe charges relate to a premises at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe firearms and ammunition were seized at a premises at John Street, Blackstick, in Ardee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe search of the property was carried out at about 2pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe search was carried out by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Garda Emergency Response Unit (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationFollow-on searches were carried out at several properties in the county (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe seizure was part of an ongoing intelligence-led operation targeting organised crime. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí supported by the Garda Emergency Response Unit searched the property. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFollow-on searches were later carried out at several properties in the county. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationTwo men were arrested on suspicion of participation in the activities of a criminal organisation to facilitate firearms trafficking. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMark McCourt was charged with 23 separate charges of possession of firearm components including ammunition (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeConor O'Brien was charged with 23 charges and made no reply after caution (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth men were charged at Drogheda Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on Wednesday evening (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr McCourt gave no reply to all 23 charges after caution (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr McCourt was remanded into custody with no application for bail (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr O'Brien was also remanded into custody with no application for bail (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth men are due to appear before Cloverhill District Court the following week (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe men were brought before a sitting of Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNeither man applied for bail and both were remanded in custody to appear by video-link at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAssistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the weapons would have been used to maim, kill and intimidate communities (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe weapons are described as the lifeblood of organised criminal groups who use violence in drug trafficking (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime described the seizure as particularly significant. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jul2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Two men appear in court following seizure of 18 firearms and 900 rounds of ammunition

    First report of the case: the two men were charged and appeared in court after the seizure of 18 firearms and about 900 rounds of ammunition at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee.

    accused, Mark McCourt, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McCourtaccused, Conor O'Brian, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brian
  2. 24 Jul2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Two appear in court charged with possession of components that make up 18 guns

    Court appearance details: 23 charges each, no reply after caution, remanded in custody, next appearance at Cloverhill District Court. Seizure by GNDOCB and ERU as part of intelligence-led operation targeting organised crime.

    accused, Mark McCourt, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McCourtaccused, Conor O'Brien, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien