DPP opts not to prosecute garda who had minister unknowingly sign for gun club's weapon parts

There was also a conflict of evidence between two of the gardaí alleged to be involved and a gun dealer in the South East who had initially been asked by the gun club to repair the weapons. File picture

No prosecution is to be taken against a garda who organised for the import of firearm parts for a private gun club under the pretence that they were required for gardaí.

As part of the importation, the justice minister unwittingly signed off on the licence required on the basis that the parts were needed by An Garda Síochána (AGS).

Following a Fiorsú investigation, a file was submitted to the DPP. However, the DPP has now decided that no prosecution will follow.

The case dates from July 2018 and a protected disclosure about it the following year. Initially, the disclosure was made internally in AGS but when an investigation wasn’t proceeding, the discloser went to Fiorsú.

Subsequently, AGS investigated the matter and a chief superintendent completed his report in late 2024. No recommendation emerged from that to consider a criminal matter, but the Fiorsú investigation differed and a file was sent to the DPP. 

The Irish Examiner understands that the DPP’s decision was issued in the last month.

Both investigations confirmed the main thrust of the allegation. These included that:

• guns were transported from the Co Kildare gun club to the Garda armoury in Dublin for repair.
• the minister for justice signed off on the import licence for the parts required.
• the cost of the parts was taken from the AGS budget 
• the repaired guns were returned to the gun club by the garda’s private car.

The garda at the centre of the case claimed the imported parts were for weapons to be used in training in AGS. No record of any training with these weapons was presented to either investigation.

In 2025, in response to a question from Labour TD Alan Kelly, the minister for justice confirmed that “the import licence referred to by the deputy was processed and issued by the department in July 2018".

A spokesperson for Fiosru said it cannot disclose or discuss any operational or other matters that may arise from disclosures it may receive. An Garda Siochana was contacted for comment.