'Young and naive' men bought guns on 'dark net' to shoot as hobby, court told

A garda told the court that one of the men 'has a fascination with firearms'

Daniel Quinn Burke, Evan Fitzgerald and Shane Kinsella at Naas District Court. Pictures: Niall Carson/Colin Keegan

Three “young and naive” childhood friends have appeared in court charged with possession of a handgun, an automatic rifle and over 40 rounds of ammunition that was allegedly purchased on “the dark net”.

Evan Fitzgerald, aged 21 of Portrushen, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, Daniel Quinn Burke, aged 19 of Allendale Lawn, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, and Shane Kinsella, aged 20, of Tynock, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, appeared before Naas District Court on Monday.