Ireland Crime

Named as

Convicted, accused

Born

1996, from the ages reported

Offences

Facilitating a criminal organisation (importation of firearms), Possession of firearms in suspicious circumstances

Where

Co. Louth

Reporting

9 reports, 24 Jul 2024 to 10 Feb 2026

Outlets

dundalkdemocrat.ie, limerickleader.ie, irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie, rte.ie

• Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth Facilitating a criminal organisation (importation of firearms) · Co. Louth

  On 19 July 2024, Gardaí raided a shed at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth, and seized 18 firearms and approximately 900 rounds of ammunition as part of an operation targeting organised crime. Mark McCourt, 34, of Newry, Co Down, and Conor O'Brien, 29, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, were arrested under organised crime legislation and charged with possession of firearm components and ammunition. McCourt pleaded guilty to six charges and was sentenced to 12 years by the Special Criminal Court in November 2025. O'Brien pleaded guilty to six charges and was sentenced to 10 years effective on 16 March 2026. The weapons had been bought in Nevada, USA, and smuggled into Ireland in parts for reassembly and distribution to criminal groups.

  Sentenced, 3 Nov 2025Convicted, accused · 9 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 10 Feb2026
   Convicteddundalkdemocrat.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Louth man smuggled military-grade weapons for sale to 'Ireland's top criminals', court hears

   convicted, Conor O'Brien, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂29IE
2. 9 Feb2026
   Convictedlimerickleader.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Military-grade weapons imported for sale to criminal gangs in Limerick and three other counties, court hears

   convicted, Conor O'Brien, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂29IE
3. 17 Nov2025
   Convictedirishtimes.com, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Gang imported US assault rifle components to reassemble in Ireland, court told

   convicted, Conor O'Brien, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂29IE
4. 27 May2025
   In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Two to go before Special Criminal court for Louth firearms offences

   accused, Conor O'Brien, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂28IE
5. 18 Sep2024
   In courtthejournal.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Man charged after seizure of 18 semi-automatic gun parts granted bail with strict conditions

   accused, Conor O'Brien, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂27IE
6. 18 Sep2024
   In courtirishmirror.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Man charged after guns and ammo haul granted €115k bail with strict conditions

   accused, Conor O'Brien, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂27IE
7. 24 Jul2024
   In courtirishtimes.com, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Two men appear in court following seizure of 18 firearms and 900 rounds of ammunition

   accused, Conor O'Brian, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brian♂27IE
8. 24 Jul2024
   In courtirishmirror.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Two appear in court charged with possession of components that make up 18 guns

   accused, Conor O'Brien, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brien♂27IE
9. 24 Jul2024
   In courtrte.ie, in Man jailed for 10 years for facilitating firearms importation in Louth

   Two men in court over seizure of firearms in Co Louth

   accused, Conor O'Brian, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor O'Brian♂27IE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.