In a shocking revelation at the Special Criminal Court, Mark McCourt, a 34-year-old from Edencrieve, Newry, Co Down, has been identified as the mastermind behind an organized crime group responsible for smuggling and distributing military-grade firearms, ammunition, and explosives across Ireland and beyond.
The Mark McCourt guns case has exposed a sophisticated network supplying dangerous weapons to criminal gangs in Derry, Dublin, and Limerick, with connections reaching as far as the United States.
McCourt pleaded guilty to six counts of facilitating a criminal organization involved in importing explosives, firearms, and ammunition between February 10, 2023, and July 19, 2024.
Origins of the Mark McCourt Guns Network
The Mark McCourt guns operation involved sourcing high-powered weapons, including AR-15 assault rifles and Glock semi-automatic pistols, from a gun and ammunition shop in Pahrump, Nevada.
These weapons were purchased legally by an individual with dual Irish and U.S. citizenship, then smuggled into Ireland in parts to be reassembled for distribution to criminal organizations.
The operation’s scale and audacity have stunned authorities, highlighting the global reach of Ireland’s organized crime networks.
Key Evidence in the Mark McCourt Guns Case
Detective Inspector Shane McCartan from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau provided critical testimony, detailing how McCourt’s phone, seized during an unrelated arrest in May 2024, revealed a treasure trove of evidence. The phone contained:
- Text messages discussing the importation and distribution of Mark McCourt guns, including AR-15s and Glocks.
- Voice messages coordinating logistics with contacts like ‘The Keeler’ and ‘Vladimir Putin.’
- Videos showcasing military-grade firearms and ammunition, including a drum magazine capable of holding 50 rounds.
Text Messages Reveal the Scope of the Mark McCourt Guns Operation
The following text exchanges, recovered from McCourt’s phone, provide a chilling glimpse into the Mark McCourt guns smuggling operation:
In a conversation with ‘The Keeler,’ McCourt wrote: “picking up rounds of 9mm” and “so get the cash ready lol.”
‘The Keeler’ responded: “sound brother” but advised McCourt to “get another phone there, a burner” and “make a group.”
McCourt replied: “yeh I’ll get one sorted tomorrow mate.”
McCourt sent ‘The Keeler’ a detailed list of Mark McCourt guns, including AR-15 assault rifles, Glocks, ammunition, and magazines, stating: “75k cash is best price, I’ve another man there for them.” ‘The Keeler’ requested: “send me full list.”
McCourt advised on storage: “Yeah you’ll need some stash, rounds need to keep in a dry place, if they get damp they won’t fire.”
He also offered explosives: “That’s sound brother, tell them 75K and ill throw in the 10 pipes for free.”
‘The Keeler’ replied: “100% bro, another ten for the ten.”
In discussions with another contact, ‘Vladimir Putin,’ McCourt boasted: “I can get an AR-15,” and described ammunition capable of “she’ll drop a deer at 900 yds.” When asked, “Can you get a 7.62 sniper pal?” McCourt confirmed the overseas source: “Yeah mate overseas,” and regarding the sniper rifle, “don’t know, can get it priced.”
‘Vladimir Putin’ inquired: “Where you get them, we ram raid the place? Over the water?”
With another contact, ‘Duff,’ McCourt discussed Mark McCourt guns, assuring: “brand new bud.” Duff asked: “Sweet bro, and if I need another AR how soon can I get it?” McCourt responded: “That’s sound, we’ve a few orders here already man. You let me know closer to the time, so I get a chance to put an order in.”
Duff requested: “You let me know before they arrive and what’s available. I’ve a fella looking for them straight away, 2 rusty things, and 5 of those things you make straight away.”
Messages with the U.S. contact revealed close calls with authorities: “Pulled in to secondary again,” to which McCourt asked: “No way what did they say.” The contact replied: “There’s your passport, lucky he didn’t take the check bag in, he was about to and I was chatting him.”
Gardaí Raid and Seizure of Mark McCourt Guns
On July 19, 2024, gardaí conducted a raid on a shed in Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth, following surveillance of McCourt and an associate. They discovered 82 gun components in two Nike holdall bags, capable of assembling six AR-15 assault rifles and 12 Glock semi-automatic pistols, all in working order. A Dunnes Stores bag contained 800 rounds of ammunition, and a smashed mobile phone revealed further evidence of McCourt’s forensic awareness, including discussions about remotely wiping data.
Notable Find: One rifle’s serial number traced back to a Nevada gun shop, purchased on February 10, 2023, by the U.S. contact, confirming the international scope of the Mark McCourt guns operation.
McCourt’s Criminal History and Defense
Mark McCourt has a significant criminal record, with 47 prior convictions, including a three-year sentence for ramming an off-duty garda’s car. Despite this, his defense counsel, Brendan Grehan, emphasized McCourt’s personal life, noting his 11-year stable relationship, two young children (aged eight and three), and trade as a plumber. Grehan argued that most of McCourt’s offenses occurred in his early 20s, suggesting a period of reduced criminal activity before the Mark McCourt guns case.
Court Proceedings and Public Safety Concerns
During the Special Criminal Court hearing, gardaí presented videos, text messages, and physical evidence, including an AR-15 rifle and a SIG Sauer pistol, to the three-judge panel. Detective Inspector McCartan testified that McCourt led an unnamed criminal organization, orchestrating the importation, reassembly, and distribution of Mark McCourt guns and explosives to gangs across Ireland. The court adjourned the case for mention on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with sentencing pending.
Impact of the Mark McCourt Guns Case
The Mark McCourt guns case underscores the growing threat of organized crime in Ireland, with sophisticated networks leveraging international connections to arm criminal factions. The seizure of military-grade weapons and explosives highlights the Gardaí’s critical role in disrupting such operations, but also raises concerns about the accessibility of such dangerous arsenals. As the case progresses, it will likely prompt further investigations into cross-border smuggling and the individuals involved in McCourt’s network.
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