Carlow man pleaded guilty to possessing pistol and pills
A 46-YEAR-old man pleaded guilty to possessing a pistol and, separately, pleaded guilty to four counts of drug possession at a sitting of Carlow Circuit Court before Judge Eugene O’Kelly.
John Brannigan, 150 New Oak Estate, Carlow was found with a 0.22 LR Derringer pistol on 16 October 2025 at New Oak Estate. He was charged with possession of firearms without a lawful purpose contrary to section 27(a) of the 1964 . Brian O’Shea BL representing the DPP accepted the plea on behalf of the state. Defence barrister Aidan Doyle BL asked the court to adjourn the matter to next week for sentencing.
In a separate matter, Mr Brannigan again entered guilty pleas to four of nine counts against him. He was found in possession of Diazepam, Zopiclone and Triazolam, controlled drugs, on 12 March 2024 contrary to section 3 of the . He pleaded guilty to a fourth count of possessing cannabis for sale or supply on the same day, an offence under section 15 of the 1977 Act.
John Madden BL, representing the defendant, said that the pleas were entered into on the basis that a further count would be taken into account and that the remaining four counts would be struck out.
Judge O’Kelly said Mr Brannigan’s sentencing hearing would take place on 20 May.
