Ireland Two men plead guilty to firearms possession near Straffan, Kildare
On 2 March 2024 Shane Kinsella, 22, from Tynock, Kiltegan, County Wicklow, and Daniel Quinn Burke, from Baltinglass, County Wicklow, were arrested near Ponsonby Bridge, Straffan, County Kildare, in a car driven by Burke. The arrests followed a garda sting operation in which a suspect, later named as Evan Fitzgerald, was identified trying to procure a rifle, a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition on the dark web. Fitzgerald, also arrested that day, died from self-inflicted wounds on 1 June 2025 at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow, and all charges against him were withdrawn. On 16 April 2026 Kinsella and Burke pleaded guilty to possessing the firearms and ammunition, and sentencing was adjourned to 5 May.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted16 Apr
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Shane Kinsella and Daniel Quinn Burke pleaded guilty to possessing a rifle, a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition.
- Where
- The firearms possession took place at Ponsonby Bridge near Straffan, County Kildare, at an address near Straffan according to one report.
- When
- The firearms possession took place on 2 March 2024.
- Cause
- Cash of €2,700 was offered for the weapons before the arrests.
- Investigation
- The weapons were sourced through a garda sting operation after a suspect was identified trying to procure them on the dark web.
- Evan Fitzgerald was identified as the person intent on procuring the weapons.
- Charges
- The men were arrested in a car driven by Daniel Quinn Burke, with Shane Kinsella acting as navigator.
- All charges against Evan Fitzgerald were withdrawn after his death.
- Other details
- Shane Kinsella, 22, is from Tynock, Kiltegan, County Wicklow.
- Daniel Quinn Burke is from Allendale Lawn, Baltinglass, County Wicklow.
- Evan Fitzgerald was also arrested on 2 March 2024 and later died from self-inflicted wounds after firing a gun into the air at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on 1 June 2025.
- In court
- The case was heard at Naas District Court, though one report describes the hearing as at Naas Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Sentencing was adjourned to 5 May.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo men pleaded guilty to possessing a rifle, a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. (rte.ie)
- whereThe firearms possession took place at Ponsonby Bridge near Straffan, County Kildare. (rte.ie)
- whenThe firearms possession took place on 2 March 2024. (rte.ie)
- causeCash of €2,700 was offered for the weapons before the arrests. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe weapons were sourced through a garda sting operation after a suspect was identified trying to procure them on the dark web. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe men were arrested in a car driven by Daniel Quinn Burke, with Shane Kinsella acting as navigator. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Naas District Court. (rte.ie)
- sentenceSentencing was adjourned to 5 May. (rte.ie)
- otherA third man arrested on the same date, Evan Fitzgerald, later died from self-inflicted wounds. (rte.ie)
- otherAll charges against Evan Fitzgerald were withdrawn after his death. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Apr2026Two plead guilty to possession of firearms in Kildare
Reports the guilty pleas of Shane Kinsella and Daniel Quinn Burke, the role of each, the garda sting operation, the death of a third man arrested on the same date, and the adjournment of sentencing.
convicted, Shane Kinsella, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Kinsellaconvicted, Daniel Quinn Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Quinn Burkesuspect, Evan Fitzgerald, male, named, irish (judged from name)Evan Fitzgerald