Two pistols seized from illegal scrambler rider in Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Gardaí seized two Slovakian-made semi-automatic pistols and 39 rounds of ammunition from a man in his 30s riding an illegal scrambler on the Royal Canal Way in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, on 6 May 2026. The rider was arrested and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, as part of Operation Twin Tracks.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested6 May
2 reports - Charged6 May
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí intercepted a scrambler bike. (garda.ie)
- whatTwo semi-automatic pistols were seized. (garda.ie)
- what39 rounds of ammunition were seized. (garda.ie)
- whatThe rider was a man in his 30s. (garda.ie)
- whatTwo Slovakian-made Grand Power pistols were seized from the scrambler. (irishmirror.ie)
- what39 rounds of ammunition were also seized. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe rider was a man in his 30s from west Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe patrols took place on the Royal Canal Way in Maynooth. (garda.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred on the Royal Canal Way in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 6 May 2026. (garda.ie)
- whenThe seizure took place on Wednesday evening, 6 May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man was released from the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí from Kildare North Community Engagement conducted the patrols. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe rider was arrested at the scene. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe rider is detained at a Garda station in County Kildare. (garda.ie)
- investigationAll seized firearms are undergoing technical and ballistic examination. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was arrested and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating why the man was moving the guns and whether they were to be used in a gangland hit. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe rider is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (garda.ie)
- courtThe man is scheduled to appear before Naas District Court at 3:30pm on Thursday, 7 May 2026. (garda.ie)
- otherA man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
- otherThe operation was called Operation Twin Tracks. (garda.ie)
- otherThe operation was part of Operation Twin Tracks, a Garda crackdown on anti-social behaviour on public transport. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect is known to Gardaí and was one of several men arrested in a previous cross-border abduction operation in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe use of scramblers in public areas was banned following the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Finglas, north Dublin, in January. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn the previous abduction operation, Gardaí stopped the car on a major motorway, rescued the victim, and arrested four men, also seizing a gun. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNobody was charged in the Republic over the previous abduction incident. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 May2026Gardai seize two pistols after officers stop illegal scrambler under Grace's Law
First report of the seizure and arrest; Gardaí investigating whether the guns were to be used in a gangland hit; suspect linked to a previous cross-border abduction operation in which four men were arrested and a gun seized but nobody was charged in the Republic.
suspect, 30s, male - 6 May2026Operation Twin Tracks - Firearms and Ammunition Seized, One Arrested in County Kildare – 6th May 2026
Official Garda press release confirming the seizure and arrest, naming the operation as Operation Twin Tracks and the units involved (Kildare North Community Engagement and Kildare North Crime), and noting that the firearms are undergoing technical and ballistic examination.
suspect, 30s, male - 6 May2026Court Appearance - Operation Twin Tracks - Firearms and Ammunition Seized, One Arrested in County Kildare – 6th May 2026
The man has been released from Section 30 detention and charged; he is due to appear before Naas District Court at 3:30pm on 7 May 2026.
suspect, 30s, male