Mark McCourt, a 34-year-old from Newry, pleaded guilty to leading an organised crime group that imported and supplied military-grade weapons and explosives throughout Ireland. The Special Criminal Court learned that McCourt’s extensive criminal operation involved smuggling guns, ammunition, and petrol bombs from the U.S. into Ireland, where they were reassembled for distribution to various criminal gangs.
Detectives uncovered incriminating messages on McCourt’s phone that detailed transactions for high-powered firearms, including AR-15 rifles and Glock pistols, with plans to sell these weapons for substantial cash amounts. This case not only highlights the alarming scale of arms trafficking occurring across borders but also raises concerns about the operational networks facilitating such illegal activities within Ireland.
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