Latest news with #OffencesAgainsttheStateAct1939
The Journal
5 days ago
- The Journal
Semi-automatic pistol seized during planned car search in Balbriggan
GARDAÍ HAVE ARRESTED a man and seized a gun and ammunition after a planned car stop in north Co Dublin this week. Gardaí carried out a planned car stop in Balbriggan on Monday evening as part of an operation led by the Dublin Crime Response Team to tackle serious criminal activity. When gardaí searched the car, they found and seized a semi-automatic pistol, rounds of ammunition and €153,305 in cash. Advertisement A man in his 40s, who was the only person in the car, was arrested at the scene. He was brought to a garda station in Dublin where he has been detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. A garda statement said that several follow-up searches have taken place in Dublin city and further evidence has been recovered, without specifying the nature of the evidence. Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson said that the 'seizure of this firearm and ammunition has no doubt saved lives'. She added that the 'removal of significant amounts of cash not only removes ill-gotten gains from the hands from criminals, but deprives them of money they would have used to fund further criminal activity in our communities'. 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
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Special 'gangland' powers have led to record number of arrests
The use of special gangland laws reached its highest ever levels in the last year, with over 150 arrests — 40 more than the previous year. This translated into a significant rise in the number of charges brought forward — from 30 to 49. The legislation — targeting gang bosses, lieutenants, members, and associates — directs that any charges be brought before the non-jury Special Criminal Court, unless the DPP diverts them to the ordinary courts. A total of 152 arrests were carried out by gardaí in the year ending May 2025, a rise of 36% on the previous year. The offences are under the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, which makes crimes in a 2006 act scheduled offences under the Offences Against the State Act 1939. The main offences are directing the activities of a criminal organisation (Section 71A), participating in or contributing to a criminal organisation (Section 72), and committing an offence for such an organisation (Section 73). An official report on the use of the 2009 act reveals: 152 arrests between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, compared to 112 the previous year and 110 the year before that; 13 arrests for directing (Sec 71a), the same as the previous year — both the highest so far; 114 arrests for participating in/contributing to (Sec 72), compared to 92 the previous year and 90 the year before that; 25 arrests for committing an offence for a criminal organisation, compared to seven arrests the previous year and 18 the year before that. The report said a total of 49 charges were brought before the courts, compared to 30 charges the previous year, up 63%, and 22 the year before that. The 49 charges included 13 for directing a criminal organisation, an offence, on conviction, attracting a maximum of life in prison. Offences of participation or committing a crime for a criminal gang both attract a maximum of 15 years. Included in the 13 charges for directing a criminal organisation is that of Sean McGovern, who was extradited at the end of May from the United Arab Emirates after the signing of an extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE. 13 convictions secured Some 13 convictions were secured in the last year, nine of them for Section 72 offences. These included Jason 'Jay' O'Connor, from Blanchardstown, west Dublin, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation — namely the Kinahan cartel — to carry out a murder. The report is compiled for the Minister of Justice as part of the yearly renewal of the powers in the Oireachtas. The surge in gangland arrests is in contrast with a continuing reduction in arrests against suspected terrorists. A separate report shows that 32 arrests were carried out between June 2024 and May 2025 under certain provisions of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 and 1998, which related to subversive activities and unlawful organisations, such as dissident republicans. The number of arrests compares to 39 the previous year and 53 the year before that. There were seven arrests for membership of an unlawful organisation (Section 2) in the last year, compared to 11 the previous year.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Man due in court following seizure of guns and ammunition in Co Galway
The man, aged in his 40s, is expected to appear before Loughrea District Court today at approximately 10.30am this morning. Gardaí recovered two firearms, ammunition and a cocaine press during the course of a planned search operation at Woodlawn that was part of an ongoing operation targeting criminal activity in the Galway Division and surrounding areas. The firearms have been forwarded for a technical examination by the Ballistics Section of the Garda Technical Bureau. The man who was arrested was detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
Sunday World
29-04-2025
- Sunday World
Man charged following seizure of guns and ammunition in Ballinasloe, Co Galway
The man, aged in his 40s, is expected to appear before Loughrea District Court today at approximately 10.30am A man who was arrested yesterday in connection with the seizure of two firearms and ammunition in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, has since been charged. The man, aged in his 40s, is expected to appear before Loughrea District Court today at approximately 10.30am. Gardaí recovered two firearms, ammunition and a cocaine press during the course of a planned search operation at Woodlawn that was part of an ongoing operation targeting criminal activity in the Galway Division and surrounding areas. The firearms have been forwarded for a technical examination by the Ballistics Section of the Garda Technical Bureau. The man who was arrested was detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man due in court after firearms and ammunition seized in Galway
A man is due in court after two firearms and ammunition were seized by gardaí during a major operation in Galway. As part of an ongoing operation targeting criminal activity in the Galway Division and surrounding areas, Gardaí carried out a planned search operation at a property in Ballinasloe on Monday. During the search at Woodlawn, Gardaí recovered two firearms, ammunition and a cocaine press. The firearms have been forwarded for a technical examination by the Ballistics Section of the Garda Technical Bureau. A man aged in his 40s was arrested and was detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. A garda spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the man arrested in connection with the investigation, has since been charged. He is expected to appear before Loughrea District Court today, Tuesday, 29 April, at approximately 10:30am.
