Two men remanded over seizure of firearms and drugs in Kildare
A Polish national and an Irish man have been remanded in custody following a major operation that uncovered military-grade firearms, ammunition and €560,000 worth of narcotics in Kildare.
Two men remanded over seizure of firearms and drugs in Kildare
A 43-year-old Polish man and a 32-year-old Irish man were both refused bail and sent to prison after appearing before a district judge in connection with a large-scale operation targeting organised crime.
Piotr Michalczyk, of Roseberry Hill in Newbridge, and Ryan Byrne, from Shrowlands in Athy, appeared at Naas District Court on Tuesday. They each face allegations of holding narcotics for distribution, along with a Makarov pistol and seven 9mm rounds, at a bogland site near Athy on 11 July 2026. Michalczyk faces an additional count of concealing €22,840 and £1,560 in cash at his residence.
The case stems from a broader garda operation that netted three automatic weapons, eight handguns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. At the bog, officers located a blue container holding 28 kilos of illegal substances valued at roughly half a million euros.
Detective Garda Shane Kiely testified that Michalczyk was seen driving to the rural location the day before the raid. The investigator told the court the defendant occupies a key role in a criminal network and presents a significant risk of absconding, having only been in Ireland since April and expressing a desire to leave permanently. No solicitor represented him at the hearing because of a nationwide legal-aid strike.
Judge Desmond Zaidan acknowledged the constitutional tension between the right to counsel and the duty to protect the public. He determined that collective safety outweighed the individual's entitlement to a lawyer on this occasion and ordered Michalczyk detained until 21 July.
Byrne was represented privately. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan opposed his release, telling the court he was captured on camera with associates at the scene and had acknowledged arranging the container. His barrister countered that he enjoys strong community links and remains innocent until proven otherwise.
Source: Leinster Express
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