Men in court in connection with seizure of guns in Laois and Kildare
.jpeg?trim=110,0,196,0&crop=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
Court told 900 rounds of ammunition, pistol and drugs found in blue container
An Irish man and a Polish national have appeared in court in connection with an investigation into the discovery of ‘military grade’ guns and drugs in Laois and Kildare.
Piotr Michalczyk (43), of Roseberry Hill, Newbridge, Co Kildare, is accused of having drugs for sale or supply, a Makarov handgun and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition at Oldcourt Bog, Athy, Co Kildare on July 11, 2026. He is further accused of laundering €22,840 and £1,560 sterling in cash at his address.
Ryan Byrne (32) of 449 Shrowlands, Athy, Co Kildare is accused of having drugs for sale or supply, a Makarov handgun and seven rounds of 9 mm ammunition at Oldcourt Bog, Athy, Co Kildare on July 11, 2026.
Both men made applications for bail in front of Judge Desmond Zaidan on Tuesday afternoon.
Michalczyk, who was assisted by an interpreter, had no legal representation due to the ongoing dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice in relation to legal aid.
Judge Zaidan noted the State wanted the bail hearing to go ahead. He said the State has not denied anyone access to legal representation, and the ongoing dispute is centred around money. He said he wouldn’t be the “fall guy for the DPP” if he refused bail and the matter is challenged in a higher court due to the lack of legal representation. He asked a solicitor to keep a watching brief on the bail application. She agreed but said “I am on strike today with regard to legal aid”.
Objecting to bail, Detective Garda Shane Kiely said he arrested the accused at his address. He said the man made no reply when charged.
Det Kiely said the defendant had only been in the country since April and had no ties to the State. He said the defendant was observed driving a Ford C Max to a bog where a blue container was located on July 10.
He said a search warrant was secured and Gardaí searched the container and discovered 28 kilos of drugs with an estimated value of €560,000, 900 rounds of .22 ammunition and a Makarov pistol and ammunition on July 11. He told the court that the discovery was made as part of a wider operation which resulted in the seizure of three machine guns and eight pistols. He said during further searches at the defendant’s address cash in £1,560 sterling and €22,480 was discovered.
Det Kiely said it was the belief of Gardaí that Mr Michalczyk was a person trusted by a criminal organisation in which he played an integral role. He described the man as “a serious flight risk” and said he had no ties to the State and would be required to commit criminality in order to recoup the loss suffered by the crime gang. Det Kiely said the defendant had admitted during the interview that he wanted to return to Poland permanently.
“I am 43 years old. I never had any problems with the law in any country,” the man said.
He told Judge Zaidan that he was willing to comply with any conditions the court wished to impose in relation to bail.
“I am ready to do whatever conditions the court wants to impose on me,” the man said.
Judge Zaidan again said: “The State have asked this court to proceed to make a bail application”.
He said there were “competing rights” as the State has a duty to protect citizens, but also to provide legal aid. “I know the State would not have objected to legal aid being granted,” said Judge Zaidan. “We have two competing rights under the Constitution,” he remarked.
“There is a difference in someone not getting paid and someone being deliberately deprived of their right to access a lawyer,” said Judge Zaidan.
“In this case I am satisfied that the overall safety of the public, its citizens individually and collectively in this particular case must take precedence over the individual right to legal representation”, said Judge Zaidan, who noted that right for representation still existed.
He said the court has to make a ruling. He noted the garda concern that the defendant could be a flight risk and that they were unwilling to accept any bail conditions. On considering all of the evidence, he refused the application for bail and remanded Michalczyk in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear again at Naas District Court on Tuesday, July 21 by video link.
Ryan Byrne was represented by Sean Egan BL, who was acting for a solicitor who had taken the case in a private capacity.
Detective Garda Kate Gilligan said the accused replied “it wasn’t mine” when charged with the offences.
She objected to bail due to the serious nature of the offences, and she said the man was arrested as part of an operation targeting a criminal group who were distributing guns and drugs.
Det Gilligan said the accused was pictured with two males at Oldcourt in Athy. A blue container was searched a day later at Oldcourt, and 28 kilos of drugs, a Makarov pistol and 900 rounds of .22 ammunition were discovered.
She said the defendant was questioned on six occasions and made certain admissions. She said the man had admitted sourcing the container and he would now have to recoup the loss and she believed he would commit offences to make up the loss. She said she was objecting to bail and that she didn’t believe any conditions would allay her concerns about granting the man bail.
Sean Egan BL said his client would face a potentially long stretch in custody awaiting trial if denied bail. He said Cloverhill Prison was the most overcrowded and violent prison in the country. He said his client had the presumption of innocence, has strong ties locally and any suggestion he might flee or commit crime were purely speculative.
“He was found with firearms and drugs under his control,” said Det Gilligan.
Sgt Dave Hanrahan asked Det Gilligan how long she had been in the guards and about the weapons.
She said she had 18 years experience and she agreed with Sgt Hanrahan that there had been three machine guns and eight pistols discovered during the operation. He said Gardaí believe the accused was an “integral cog” in an organised criminal organisation.
Mr Egan said the additional firearms were news to him but Sgt Hanrahan said they were referenced in the bail pack.
Mr Egan noted his client had been interviewed six times and he questioned the interviews in light of the withdrawal of services by solicitors.
Mr Byrne asked to speak with the judge and was advised by the judge to talk to his barrister. However, he persisted. “I have been fully cooperative straight away when they came to my house,” he said of the Gardaí.
He became emotional and said his mother was unwell and her home was in a poor state of repair. He said his father also had medical difficulties.
“I have no intentions of running. The only place I am running is home to my mother and father,” he said. “I am pleading with you,” he said.
“I would do whatever you want me to do, please, I just want to be with my parents,” he said.
Judge Zaidan said he had some sympathy with the accused but his real sympathy lay with the victims of organised crime gangs.
He said there was no doubt in his mind of the serious nature of the allegations and the objections to bail were well founded. He refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear again before Naas District Court on Tuesday, July 21 by video link.