Friend of Carlow gunman Evan Fitzgerald admits possessing semi-auto pistol
Daniel Quinn-Burke, of Allendale Lawns, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Remington semi-automatic pistol.
A friend of tragic gunman Evan Fitzgerald has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a semi-automatic pistol.
Apprentice mechanic Daniel Quinn-Burke (22) today admitted having a gun that was seized when gardai stopped a car in Kildare last year.
Mr Fitzgerald (22) had been facing trial alongside him over the same weapons seizure but took his own life in a shooting in a Carlow shopping centre earlier this month. The shotgun he used was not connected to the weapons seizure the friends were charged over.
Judge Elva Duffy adjourned Quinn-Burke's case at Naas Circuit Court this afternoon, for sentencing on a later date. Another co-accused, Shane Kinsella (22), appeared in the same court today on similar charges but has yet to enter a plea.
Evan Fitzgerald. Photo: PA
Quinn-Burke, of Allendale Lawns, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Remington semi-automatic pistol at Ponsonby Bridge, Straffan, Co Kildare on March 2, 2024.
When the case was called, Quinn Burke's barrister Aisling Murphy said her client could be arraigned on one of the charges in the indictment.
The court registrar read the single count out to Quinn-Burke, who replied: 'guilty.'
Judge Duffy remanded him on continuing bail to appear in court again on October 7. She said the charges were 'very serious' and ordered a pre-sentence probation report.
Daniel Quinn-Burke.
Mr Kinsella's barrister, Mark Gibbons sought a further adjournment for his client. Mr Kinsella, from Tynnock, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, was remanded on continuing bail to July 18.
An outline of the proposed prosecution evidence was given at a previous district court hearing.
Detective Gavin Curran had said gardai were investigating firearms trafficking when they performed a 'controlled stop' of a car at Ponsonby Bridge and found the weapons.
Daniel Quinn-Burke.
News in 90 Seconds - June 18th
The court was told Quinn-Burke was driving the car and both he and Mr Kinsella had allegedly known what was being carried in it.
It was alleged the firearms and ammunition had been purchased on the dark web, with Mr. Fitzgerald using a proton email account.
Det Gda Curran said it was not believed the firearms were connected with organised crime and the defendants were not part of an organised crime group.
It was alleged the guns were to be used for shooting in woods.
'Mr Fitzgerald has a fascination with firearms. He is big time into firearms,' Det Gda Curran said.
Mr Fitzgerald, from Portrush, Kiltegan, Wicklow, worked at a steel yard while Quinn-Burke was an apprentice mechanic and Mr Kinsella was studying mechanical engineering.
That court hearing was told investigations were ongoing into who sold the guns.
Gardaí withdrew initial bail objections and consented to the accused's release with strict conditions.
On June 1 this year, while on bail, Mr Fitzgerald went to Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow with a shotgun and opened fire in the air before fatally wounding himself. The gun he used was legally owned by someone else.
In the wake of the shooting, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said a review of bail laws was underway.
Daniel Quinn-Burke (22).
After Mr Fitzgerald's death, his charges over the March 2024 weapons seizure were formally withdrawn at Naas District Court.
At that hearing, Judge Desmond Zaidan pointed out that he had had no power to overrule gardai when they had not objected to bail being granted to Mr Fitzgerald.
The circumstances of the case were raised at a Dáil Justice Committee where Drew Harris, the outgoing Garda Commissioner, confirmed that Mr Fitzgerald had got the guns subject to the charges from undercover gardai in a 'controlled delivery'.
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