Cork man faces 20 charges of having guns, ammunition and explosives

The book of evidence was served on Monday on 45-year-old Paul Sheehan

Paul Sheehan. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A book of evidence was served on Monday on a 45-year-old man accused of having a stash of guns, ammunition and explosives at a house in Douglas last November.

Sergeant Gerard Dineen told Judge Eamonn Carroll that the book of evidence had been served on barrister Sarah Patton at Cork District Court on behalf of defendant Paul Sheehan of Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas in Cork.

Judge Carroll sent the case forward to the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on June 22. Sergeant Dineen said there were 20 charges in the book of evidence.

Ms Patton asked for free legal aid to be extended for a junior counsel and senior counsel to represent the accused at the circuit court because of the seriousness of the charges. Judge Carroll acceded to that application.

Detective Garda Anthony Daly said in an earlier outline of the allegations against the accused: “He was discovered in possession of illegally held firearms and ammunition on November 4, 2025, in suspicious circumstances at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow.

“At Applegreen Service Station on November 4 he was caught red-handed in possession of a 32 calibre Beretta 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.” 

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, and three pipe bomb bodies.