National court archive · 2026-03-23
Gun-runner who sold assault weapons to criminal gangs will have cash returned to him
At a glance
- Crime
- importation of firearms and ammunition and explosives
- People
- Conor O’Brien, Simon Matthews BL, Ms Justice Karen O’Connor, Mark McCourt, Detective Inspector Shane McCartan
- Locations
- Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, John Street, Blackstick, Derry, Armagh, Dublin, Limerick, Newry, Co Down
- Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Outcome
- cash to be returned
Summary
The Special Criminal Court ordered more than €17,000 returned to Conor O’Brien after the DPP dropped two money-laundering charges and did not pursue forfeiture. O’Brien remains jailed for 11 years, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to helping a criminal organisation import firearms, ammunition and explosives and to five firearms-possession counts. The court ordered the firearms and ammunition forfeited and destroyed.
Original reporting: courtsnewsireland.ie