Pistol and shotgun found at Cork home of man under investigation for allegedly selling drugs to undercover gardaí, court hears

A semi-automatic pistol and ammunition and slam-bang improvised shotgun were found at the home of a man under investigation for allegedly selling drugs to undercover gardaí, it was claimed today.

Detective Garda Patrick O’Sullivan testified that there would be a danger to the community if the accused man, 46-year-old Pranas Motriuk of 13 Manor Grove, Thornbury View, Rochestown, Cork, was given bail.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded Pranas Motriuk in custody until April 7.

He was charged with three counts under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act related to the improvised shotgun, the 9mm Zoraki semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. 

He was charged with having two false IDs, namely a Lithuanian driver’s licence and a personal ID card, allegedly carrying his picture but someone else’s name. All of those charges relate to March 25 at his home in Rochestown.

The shotgun was allegedly found in a utility room, and the pistol and ammunition in his attic.

He was also charged with money-laundering in relation to sums of €470 and €1,050 at North City Link Road on September 25 2024, and at Kyrls Street on October 3 2024, respectively.

EVIDENCE

The evidence given by Det. Garda O’Sullivan was that these sums of money were found on the accused when he was searched following the alleged sale by him of drugs to undercover gardaí making controlled purchases as part of an investigation into an alleged organised crime gang from Lithuania operating in Cork for the supply of heroin.

“I arrested him for directing/supervising the activities of an organised criminal group. He was brought to Gurranabraher garda station and detained.

“In relation to the improvised shotgun he stated that he had this for protection. He elaborated that a friend of his had been stabbed and slashed recently and that this was for their protection as a group. He stated he was afraid these savages would return and a stick would not suffice.

“During examination of his mobile phone, there were voice recordings of him looking to source bullets for a weapon.

“When asked about the two false IDs he stated that he got them on the internet as a joke but agreed the picture on them was him.

“He said he found the pistol while exploring a castle outside Carrigaline and brought it home for protection of himself and his family if anyone broke into his home. He would not say why it was hidden the way it was in his attic,” Det. Garda O’Sullivan said.

Eddie Burke solicitor said the accused was in Ireland for seven years with his wife and child.

Detective Garda Jeremy Murphy arrested and charged a second man, Karolis Guzauskas, with 12 counts of possession of Diamorphine (heroin) and 12 counts of having heroin for sale or supply. The detective said that on five dates, the defendant allegedly sold heroin to 12 undercover gardaí in the Fitzgerald’s Park and Mardyke area.

The detective agreed that the accused was in Ireland for five years and in a relationship with a woman from Cork, and that on March 19 he was the victim of a serious assault. The 33-year-old had his right arm in a plaster-cast in Cork District Court.

The detective objected to bail being granted in his case because of concerns for the safety of the community. He also was remanded in custody until April 7.

Two co-accused, who were also alleged to be trusted members of an organised crime gang from Lithuania operating in Cork, were refused bail on March 28.