A MAN IN his 20s has been charged in connection with an incident in Ballymun earlier this week in which a child discharged a firearm after it was dropped during a garda pursuit.

He was arrested today and is due to appear before a court sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice this afternoon.

Gardaí said the man was released before being charged. A teenager arrested as part of the same investigation has since been released without charge.

The charges follow an incident on Tuesday in the Silloge area of Ballymun, where gardaí were responding to reports of a firearm-related incident.

During a pursuit of two suspects, one of the men allegedly dropped a handgun. It is understood an 11-year-old boy who was in the area picked up the weapon and, while handling it, discharged a round.

The firearm was then taken from the child by another youth who left the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Gardaí have previously said they believe the incident is linked to an ongoing feud between two groups of young criminals in the area, involving street-level drug dealing and a number of violent disputes.

The dispute has been linked to a series of incidents in Ballymun in recent months, including shootings and other serious assaults, as well as the killing of Kevin Kelly in 2025, which gardaí believe was a deliberate attack.

Investigating gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the firearms incident on Tuesday, particularly anyone who was in the Ballymun area.

They are also seeking information on the whereabouts of the firearm, which has not yet been recovered.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line, or any garda station.

“Investigations are ongoing,” a garda spokesperson said.