Serious Questions over the handling of lethal firearms by Garda management
- Confirmation needed that investigation into protected disclosures has been completed.
- Minister must provide a full report to the Dáil on these matters.
- Clarity required on what revised measures, disciplinary action or further criminal investigation is planned.
Following a series of Dáil Questions, Labour Justice spokesperson Alan Kelly has highlighted a number of serious issues with the handling of seized/surrendered firearms and related matters by management within An Garda Síochána and what information is being provided to the Minister and Department of Justice.
Deputy Kelly said:
“I am deeply concerned at emerging information about how lethal firearms and related materials have been handled within An Garda Síochána. Garda management was made aware of issues as far back as 2018 and 2019. In fact, my understanding is that many of the issues highlighted in 2018/2019 were subsequently corroborated by the Garda National Technical Bureau subsequent to that Bureau assuming management responsibility for the Firearms Stores Section in September 2019.
“Despite the disclosures and the corroboration of such matters it took many years for these issues to be addressed and there remain outstanding concerns, and ongoing investigations.
“I understand that a number of very serious protected disclosures were made on these issues, that eventually resulted in the transfer of responsibility for the Firearms stores function to the Garda National Technical Bureau.
“If an investigation into disclosures made in 2019 has completed, then the Commissioner should report on the matter to the Minister for Justice, who should then provide a full report to the Dáil.
“Answers are needed on what actions have been taken following the investigation and what revised measures are in place to ensure the Department is kept informed. If wrongdoing has been confirmed then we need to know what further actions are planned and whether that involves disciplinary action or requires criminal investigation.
“I have asked a number of Dáil questions to confirm if the Department was aware of how seized/surrendered or non-official/non-Garda firearms were stored in a poorly secured steel container at Garda Headquarters. This raises questions about how seized firearms, often evidence in criminal cases, are managed and recorded on Pulse or PEMS, the Property and Exhibits Management system. These are dangerous weapons and the public need confidence about how these are secured.
“This was highlighted when a pump action shotgun, originally seized from criminals in 2009, was seized for a second time from a criminal gang in 2023. It took eight months for this to be disclosed through a Section 41 report to the Minister and Policing Authority.
“Nearly a year later we still don’t know how a lethal firearm found its way back into the hands of organised criminals sometime between 2009 and 2023.
“I have also asked about whether the Department was aware of the servicing and repair of privately owned firearms being undertaken by Garda armourer personnel attached to the Garda firearms stores section in 2018, where such firearms were belonging to a hunt and pony club based in the Kildare area and where the cost of such servicing and repair was defrayed by public funds.
“Further questions related to the purchase and importation of firearm component parts and under what type of license this occurred. The response confirmed to me that a Section 41 report had not been received by the Minister from the Garda Commissioner in respect of these serious matters, and that correspondence on the matter is subject to an investigation.
“I also understand that there have also been issues raised about defective ammunition for serving members, and the storage of seized fireworks and flares, and how safe that was for personnel in Garda HQ working in close proximity to the container.
“The information that is emerging about the handling of firearms raises serious questions for the Commissioner and the Minister for Justice about how protected disclosures are handled within An Garda Síochána, and what information was provided to the Department of Justice and the Minister.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors: see below responses to Dáil questions:
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For Written Answer on : 18/02/2025
Question Number(s): 555,556,557,583 Question Reference(s): 6044/25, 6045/25, 6046/25, 6350/25
Department: Justice
Asked by: Alan Kelly T.D.
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QUESTION
* To ask the Minister for Justice if he or his Department were aware of the servicing and repair of privately owned firearms being undertaken by Garda armourer personnel attached to the Garda firearms stores section in 2018, where such firearms were belonging to a hunt and pony club based in the Kildare area and where the cost of such servicing and repair was defrayed by public funds.
– Alan Kelly T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 18 February, 2025.
* To ask the Minister for Justice if his Department approved the purchase and importation of firearm component parts into the State as contained in Importation licence J 11 2018.
– Alan Kelly T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 18 February, 2025.
* To ask the Minister for Justice if he was informed by the Garda Commissioner, in line with the commissioners statutory obligations under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 that the firearm component parts contained in Importation licence J 11 2018 related to the service and repair of privately owned firearms belonging to a hunt and pony club rather than official Garda firearms.
– Alan Kelly T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 18 February, 2025.
* To ask the Minister for Justice if his office was made aware of hundreds of non-official, non-Garda firearms being discarded by An Garda Síochána’s firearms stores section in a poorly secured steel container within the confines of Garda Headquarters prior to the Garda firearms stores section being transferred under the management of the Garda National Technical Bureau in September 2019.
– Alan Kelly T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 18 February, 2025.
REPLY
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes all operational matters, such as the handling, service and repair of firearms. As Minister I have no role in these matters.
The Department of Justice was made aware of matters related to those raised by the Deputy through correspondence received in August 2020. As that correspondence is subject to an investigation, I am not in a position to comment in detail but will set out the facts available.
The Firearms Unit in the Department of Justice processes applications for all importation licences of firearms and ammunition and export licences to EU Member States. Individuals apply for an import license under Section 17(1) of the Firearms Act 1925-2023 and An Garda Síochána apply under Section 17(8). The import licence referred to by the Deputy was processed and issued by the Department in July 2018. I have not received a section 41 in relation to these matters.