Cork man charged with possession of firearms and explosives further remanded in custody

Accused was found with firearms and ammunition at a service station, and in a follow-up search of his home, gardaí discovered a large amount of firearm components, firearms, explosives and equipment for manufacturing firearms and ammunition, court heard

Accused was discovered in possession of illegally held firearms and ammunition on November 4 at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow. File picture

A 45-year-old man who faces charges in connection with the discovery of firearms and explosives at a house in Douglas last November was remanded in custody on Tuesday until February 3.

Judge John King remanded the accused man in custody at Cork District Court on the application of Sergeant John Kelleher.

Paul Sheehan, of Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas, Cork appeared in court by video link from prison.

Detective Garda Anthony Daly objected to bail being granted to the accused because of the seriousness of the allegations in the case when it first came before the court in November 2025.

Det Garda Daly said in his outline of the allegations against the accused: “He was discovered in possession of illegally held firearms and ammunition on November 4 in suspicious circumstances at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow.

“A follow-up search in the early hours of the following was conducted at his home address at Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas, Cork, and a large amount of firearm components, firearms, explosives and equipment for manufacturing, altering and producing firearms and ammunition was located.

“The army bomb disposal unit and members from the ballistics section of An Garda Síochána were deployed to attend, contain and make safe the scene.

“When he was searched at Applegreen Service Station on November 4, he was caught red-handed in possession of a 32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol, a slide of a 9mm Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol, firearm components, ammunition and a quantity of cocaine. There was evidence of a firearm having being discharged from within the vehicle.

“In the search at his home, a large amount of firearms, ammunition and explosive substances were found, including three pipe bomb bodies. Evidence of the manufacture and alteration of firearms and ammunition was also discovered.

“Paul Sheehan, who made certain admissions, admitted to possessing, manufacturing and altering different firearm components.” 

He faces charges contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 and one under the Explosive Substances Act of 1883.

The charges include possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol, a deactivated .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, a slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol and three pipe bomb bodies.

Det Garda Daly said there would be an application ultimately to have the case dealt with at the Special Criminal Court.