Ciara O’Reilly (32), of Gleann an Ghairdín, Gorey, has pleaded guilty at the Circuit Court in Wexford to possession of a sub-machine gun at her home in May 2026.
She was arraigned before Judge Cormac Quinn on a charge involving a 9mm Luger, Heckler & Koch sub-machine gun.
O’Reilly was originally arrested on 27 March 2025 during a garda operation in Gorey. When asked if there was anything illegal in her home, she pointed to a box on the floor containing the items.
O’Reilly was initially charged with four offences, including possession of a firearm, possession of an ammunition magazine, possession of a .22 Long Rifle calibre firearms barrel, and possession of an explosive substance, namely three hand grenades.
At a bail hearing before Wexford District Court on 29 March 2025, Detective Garda Darren Coleman gave evidence that O’Reilly had been charged at Wexford garda station and made “no reply” to all four charges.
Sergeant Victor Isdell told the court that Gardaí were objecting to bail due to the circumstances and the significant calibre of firearms involved. Det Gda Coleman expressed concerns for O’Reilly’s safety if she was released, noting she had no previous convictions but was a drug user, and said he feared she would relay information to others involved in the ongoing investigation.
Defence solicitor Lana Doherty told the court that O’Reilly has two young children, one with autism, and that her mother lives in Camolin, County Wexford. She said O’Reilly had a drug problem for which she was receiving treatment and would lose her tenancy if remanded in custody.