BREAKING: Man admits possessing a semi automatic gun after car stopped at Kildare canal bridge

A man arrested following the discovery of two firearms has pleaded guilty to possessing one of the weapons.

Daniel Quinn Burke, whose address was given as Allendale Lawn, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, appeared before Naas Circuit Court today (June 18)  along with Shane Kinsella, whose address was given as Tynock, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow.

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Mr Quinn Burke  pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, a Remington semi automatic pistol on March 2, 2024, at Ponsonby Bridge, near Straffan, Co Kildare.

Defending barrister Aisling Murphy told Judge Elva Duffy that the defendant, aged 22,  had not been in court before.

Barrister Mark Gibbons, representing Mr Kinsella, asked that the case against his client be adjourned for mention or progress.

Mr Kinsella did not address the court.

Judge Duffy said she would seek a probation report on behalf of Mr Quinn Burke, who was remanded on continuing bail. His case was adjourned to October 7.

Judge Duffy adjourned the case against Mr Kinsella to July 18.

The case had a hearing at Naas District Court fifteen months ago  when it was alleged that officers attached to the Garda National Organised Crime Bureau and the Emergency Response Unit performed a controlled stop of a vehicle at the bridge.

A third man, Evan Fitzgerald, then 21, whose address was given as Portrushen, Kiltegan, died in a shooting incident at a Carlow shopping centre on June 1. Mr Kinsella, described at the time as a student , was then aged 20.

The court hearing came about  following  the discovery of a Heckler & Koch rifle, a Remington Rand semi automatic pistol and a total of 42 rounds of ammunition.

Detective Garda Gavin Curran told Judge Desmolnd Zaidan at Naas District Court that he believed that the items found were not destined for use by organised criminals and that the guns and bullets were to be used for shooting purposes in a wooded area.

The garda said that the value of the firearms was in the region of €2,700 and were bought on the Darknet.

Referring to Evan Fitzgerald, he said the defendant has a fascination with firearms and “it's more of an interest or a hobby” rather than for “nefarious purposes.”

The court was also told that the weapons and ammunition were delivered by way of face to face delivery.

The garda added that the defendants are lifelong friends.

The  arrests were part of an operation to combat firearms trafficking.