Two men await sentence in tragic Kildare firearms case

TWO young men are awaiting sentencing after they pleaded guilty to possession of firearms in Naas Circuit Court last week.

Shane Kinsella (22) from Tynock, Kiltegan, County Wicklow and Daniel Quinn Burke (22) Allendale Lawn, Baltinglass both admitted to possessing a rifle, a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition at Ponsonby Bridge, located between the villages of Ardclough and Straffan, Co Kildare on 2 March 2024, as reported by  RTÉ News.

A third man arrested alongside them on the same date, Evan Fitzgerald, Portrition, just outside Kiltegan later died from self-inflicted wounds after discharging a firearm at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow on 1 June 2025.

All charges against him were subsequently dropped.

At Naas Circuit Criminal Court last Thursday, Det Insp Ken Donnellan of the Garda Organised Crime Unit told the court that Mr Fitzgerald had been identified as the driving force behind an attempt to procure weapons through the dark web as part of a garda sting operation.

The weapons, one of which included a military grade assault rifle, had been made safe prior to the handover and €2,700 in cash was exchanged over before the three men were arrested.

The car the three men were arrested in was driven by Mr Quinn Burke, while Mr Kinsella navigated to the scene.

Det Insp Donnellan confirmed that none of the three had previously come to the attention of gardaí and were not linked to any subversive activity. He described the operation as high-risk, as gardaí were initially unaware of whom they were dealing with or their motives.

Barristers for both men argued that Mr Fitzgerald (22) had a deep fascination with firearms and that their clients had become involved through misguided loyalty to their friend. Mr Fitzgerald was also described as having had significant mental health difficulties.

Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC, representing Mr Kinsella, said his client had pleaded guilty, was deeply remorseful and asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, given what he described as a unique set of circumstances. The court heard that Mr Kinsella has since relocated to Carlow, where he lives with his sister and is in employment.

Aisling Murphy BL, representing Mr Quinn Burke, said her client deeply regretted his actions and had struggled greatly with the death of his lifelong friend, in what she described as a distressing and very public manner.

Mr Quinn Burke, who has since qualified as a mechanic, had known Mr Fitzgerald since they were 12 years old. He told the court that he did not want to deflect blame and that accepted responsibility for his role.

Probation reports were presented to the court, with Mr Kinsella’s report noted as reflecting strong engagement with the probation services and a full appreciation of how serious the charges are.

Judge Elva Duffy adjourned sentencing to 5 May.

Original reporting by Eleanor Burnhill, RTÉ News