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The Journal
2 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Trial date set for men charged with firearms offences in case linked to Carlow shooter
TWO YOUNG MEN who were charged last year for a number of firearms offences alongside Carlow shooter Evan Fitzgerald are set to go on trial later this month. Shane Kinsella, with an address at Tynock, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, and Daniel Quinn Burke of 1 Allendale Lawns, Baltinglas, Wicklow, appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court this afternoon. The men, both aged 21, were charged with four firearms offences in March 2024 along with Evan Fitzgerald – the young man who fatally injured himself with a shotgun in Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Sunday. All three faced four charges: two charges in relation to possession of weapons and two charges in relation to the possession of ammunition under the Firearms Act. The three men have been remanded on bail since March 2024. During a hearing for Kinsella and Quinn Burke in relation to the charges this afternoon at Naas Discrict Court, Judge Desmond Zaidan withdrew the charges against Evan Fitzgerald whose death he described as 'a suicide'. Zaidan said that the withdrawl of the charges against Fitzgerald was done under the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Charges are dismissed as a matter of course if a person facing charges has died. Kinsella and Quinn Burke will face trial for the firearms offences at Naas District Court on 18 June. The pair were charged with possession of .45 calibre M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol, as well as a 7.62mm G3 assault rifle and a range of ammunition. 'Hiding behind my court' During the proceedings, Judge Zaidan said that he 'wished to clarify' recent reporting on the bail conditions of Evan Fitzgerald, who used a legally-owned shotgun to carry out the shooting in Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Sunday. He had no prior convictions or known links to serious crime, which meant there were no grounds to oppose bail when he was charged with firearms and explosives offences last year, the court heard. Fitzgerlad's bail conditions were also relaxed after a period of months because he had so closely complied with all of the conditions initially imposed on him. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said yesterday that a review of bail laws is already underway, but added that there are 'constitutional limits' on reforms around bail in Ireland . Advertisement Addressing press reporters in the court, Judge Zaidan delivered a prolonged address from bench, during which he stressed that gardaí had consented to granting bail for Evan Fitzgerald and the other accused men last year. 'I don't want anyone hiding behind my order,' Zaidan said. 'Gardaí consented to bail – no judge in Ireland can go behind that. Once gardaí consent to bail, bail must be granted.' 'That's the way it was dealt with on 4 March 2024. There has been some sensational headlines about objecting to bail recently,' the judge said. Zaidan later described news coverage of Evan Fitzgerald's bail as 'embarrassing', and said that he had received multiple phone calls from acquaintances asking him about it. 'You can see as a human being where I'm coming from. The gardaí consented – amen - which means my role was done,' he said. He then formally gave effect to the next sitting of Naas circuit court on 18 June, where Shane Kinsella and Daniel Quinn Burke will face th efirearms charges. USB stick During the proceedings, solicitor Tim Kennelly revealed that a USB stick had been duct-taped to his client Shane Kinsella's bedroom window on Sunday, the same day that Evan Fitzgerald shot himself in Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. Kennelly said that the USB stick was stuck to the window in a sealed bag. He explained that a capital letter 'E' was written out in duct dape above the USB stick on the same window. Detective Garda Brian Foran told the court that the USB stick had been retrieved by gardaí as part of investigations into the Carlow shooting on Sunday. Kennelly said that Shane Kinsella had not been able to see the contents of the USB stick, and argued that he was entitled to see it. Garda Foran said that gardaí in Carlow were 'dealing with this', and said that he did not wish to comment on the USB stick. Judge Zaidan told Foran: 'it exists, they're entitled to it', and ordered that the defence be allowed access to the content of the USB stick. Separately, gardaí confirmed that a postmortem of the body of Evan Fitzgerald had concluded today. A spokesperson said the results will not be released 'for operational reasons' – as is standard procedure in major garda investigations. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Toronto man, 23, arrested after shots fired in Friday fight in Kanata
The Ottawa Police Service Guns and Gangs unit. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER / POSTMEDIA A 23-year-old Toronto man has been arrested on a number of charges after shots were fired in a fight in the Kanata area last Friday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ottawa police said in a release Wednesday that officers were called just after 4 p.m. Friday on reports of gunfire in a parking lot in the 100 block of Castlefrank Drive, near Abbeyhill Drive. By the time police arrived, the suspects and the victim had left the area. Officers determined that three men had been involved in an altercation during which a firearm was discharged. No injuries were reported. An investigation by the Ottawa Police Service guns and gangs unit identified Lorne Hicks, 23, of Mississauga, as the suspected shooter. Hicks was arrested in Toronto over the weekend. He now faces several firearms-related charges, including discharging a firearm with intent, possession of a loaded and unlicensed restricted firearm and careless use and handling of a firearm. He also faces charges of assault, resisting arrest, and various breaches under the Firearms Act. He was expected to appear in court Thursday, police said. Anyone with information on the case, or others, was asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service guns and gangs unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5050. Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Read More Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA Tennis Canada
Ottawa Citizen
28-05-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Toronto man, 23, arrested after shots fired in Friday fight in Kanata
A 23-year-old Toronto man has been arrested on a number of charges after shots were fired in a fight in the Kanata area last Friday. Article content Article content Ottawa police said in a release Wednesday that officers were called just after 4 p.m. Friday on reports of gunfire in a parking lot in the 100 block of Castlefrank Drive, near Abbeyhill Drive. Article content By the time police arrived, the suspects and the victim had left the area. Article content Article content Officers determined that three men had been involved in an altercation during which a firearm was discharged. Article content Article content No injuries were reported. Article content An investigation by the Ottawa Police Service guns and gangs unit identified Lorne Hicks, 23, of Mississauga, as the suspected shooter. Article content Hicks was arrested in Toronto over the weekend. He now faces several firearms-related charges, including discharging a firearm with intent, possession of a loaded and unlicensed restricted firearm and careless use and handling of a firearm. He also faces charges of assault, resisting arrest, and various breaches under the Firearms Act. Article content Anyone with information on the case, or others, was asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service guns and gangs unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5050. Article content
Sunday World
27-05-2025
- Sunday World
Duo to face Special Criminal Court over large haul of ammo, rifle and pistol parts
Mark McCourt and Conor O'Brien will be tried before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court Two men will be tried before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court accused of possessing various parts for semi-automatic rifles and pistols and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Mark McCourt (34) of Edencrieve, Newry, Co Down faces 24 counts that on July 19, 2024, he possessed multiple parts for .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifles at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth. It is further alleged that he possessed parts for various pistols, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition. All alleged offences are contrary to the Firearms Act. Some of the seized haul His co-accused, Conor O'Brien (28) of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, is charged with 24 similar offences on the same date and at the same location. Mr O'Brien faces a further count that between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he participated in or contributed to activity intending, or being reckless as to whether such participation could facilitate that criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition into the State. Conor O'Brien and Mark McCourt Mr O'Brien is also charged under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act that on July 19, 2024, he converted, transferred, handled, acquired or possessed €7,450 and $20 Canadian while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct. He faces a similar charge for the alleged possession of €9980 in criminal proceeds at The Court, Hazelbrook Square, Dublin 14. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions to have both men tried before the Special Criminal Court. Neither man was present for today's application, but they will be required to appear before the court at a sitting in June.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Two to go before Special Criminal Court for firearms offences
Mark McCourt (34) of Edencrieve, Newry, Co Down faces 24 counts that on July 19, 2024, he possessed multiple parts for .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifles at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth. It is further alleged that he possessed parts for various pistols, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition. All alleged offences are contrary to the Firearms Act. His co-accused, Conor O'Brien (28) of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, is charged with 24 similar offences on the same date and at the same location. Mr O'Brien faces a further count that between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he participated in or contributed to activity intending, or being reckless as to whether such participation could facilitate that criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition into the State. Mr O'Brien is also charged under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act that on July 19, 2024, he converted, transferred, handled, acquired or possessed €7,450 and $20 Canadian while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct. He faces a similar charge for the alleged possession of €9980 in criminal proceeds at The Court, Hazelbrook Square, Dublin 14. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions to have both men tried before the Special Criminal Court. Neither man was present for today's application, but they will be required to appear before the court at a sitting in June.
