Minister Jim O’Callaghan launches 2025 awareness campaign targeting misuse of illegal fireworks
- Published on: 24 September 2025
- Last updated on: 24 September 2025
- Nationwide awareness-raising campaign to warn against serious risks posed by illegal fireworks
- Fines up to €10,000 and 5-years’ imprisonment applying for having fireworks in possession with intent to sell or supply, or if convicted or throwing an ignited firework at a person or property
- Campaign launched in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), Irish Guide Dogs, and Dublin Fire Brigade
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan today launched a nationwide awareness raising campaign to warn against the serious dangers posed by illegal fireworks and the strict penalties for their misuse.
The campaign was launched in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the Irish Guide Dogs, and Dublin Fire Brigade at the Dublin Fire Brigade Training Centre in Marino. Representatives from the National Office for Community Safety were also in attendance.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration plays a significant role through its annual Fireworks Awareness Raising Campaign in informing the public about the risk from illegal fireworks, their harmful effects on many in our communities, and the rules surrounding their use.
The campaign emphasises and demonstrates the physical danger and emotional distress caused by illegal fireworks in our communities, the use of which can attract fines of up to €10,000 and 5 years’ imprisonment if you have fireworks in your possession with intent to sell or supply, or if you are convicted of throwing an ignited firework at a person or property.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Jim O'Callaghan said:
“While Halloween can be an enjoyable time for our communities, we also know the distress the use of illegal fireworks can cause around this time of year.
“Often people who buy and use illegal fireworks don’t fully consider the harmful effect they can have in their local areas and on their neighbours. We also know they pose a real risk to the health and safety of young people, the elderly and the vulnerable. They also terrify family pets, service dogs and other animals.
“This campaign - and the penalties people face for misusing fireworks - show how seriously we take this kind of behaviour. I am urging people to think hard before they use fireworks this year. I am asking people to consider those who are indirectly impacted by their actions over the Halloween period.”
Minister O’Callaghan also praised the contribution of the ISPCA, Irish Guide Dogs, Dublin Fire Brigade, and An Garda Síochána to the campaign.
Greg O’Dwyer, Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Dublin Fire Brigade warned of the devastating physical injuries fireworks can cause and urged people to only attend officially organised fireworks displays this Halloween. He said:
“Dublin Fire Brigade Firefighters and Paramedics have had to deal with some horrific injuries caused by illegal fireworks over the years. These injuries can occur by fireworks going off in some young person’s pocket, severely burning their leg, or exploding in their hands, causing disfigurement to their fingers, or even as projectiles from bonfires, striking them in the face, and causing serious facial and eye injuries. These types of injuries are all potentially life-changing, or even worse.
“Fortunately, we have seen a decline in these types of injuries over the last few years, due mainly to the increase in the number of officially organised firework events, which provide a fun and safe environment. We would urge all parents and young people to check their local authorities’ websites, social media and local community groups, to find these events so everyone can be safe and stay safe around the Halloween period.”
Tim O’Mahony, Chief Executive Officer of Irish Guide Dogs, highlighted the dangers Halloween poses for Guide and Assistance Dogs and their owners:
“Halloween can be a very nervous and unsettling time for the owners of Guide and Assistance Dogs. While our dogs are highly trained to cope with stress, the anxiety caused by fireworks is beyond what any dog can reasonably endure.
“Each year, our clients report concerns weeks before 31 October and often take extra precautions - such as avoiding outings after dark - forcing them to alter their normal routines.
“Our trainers frequently need to work with dogs to counter the effects of fireworks. In some cases, despite every effort, the trauma is too great, and the dog must be withdrawn. The owner then faces a profound loss of independence and mobility while waiting through a lengthy process to be matched with another suitable dog.”
This was echoed by ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling, who said:
“Halloween has been an occasion of celebration in Ireland since ancient times, but for animals it can be frightening and dangerous, often due to the use of illegal fireworks.
“The senses of smell and hearing are far more sensitive in most animals than in humans and they can hear at different frequencies to us. The strange sight, sound and smell of fireworks can be extremely distressing for them.
“The ISPCA is urging the public to consider the distress and the dangers that fireworks cause, not just to domestic pets but also to livestock and to wildlife. Pet owners can follow our website tips and advice on how to ensure their furry friends feel safe and secure, and to keep all animals safe this Halloween.”
In addition to the awareness raising work in the run up to Halloween, additional efforts are made by An Garda Síochána to combat the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks, which is known as Operation Tombola.
Operation Tombola combats the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks, through intelligence led operations, visits to local car boot sales, searches and seizures of fireworks, as well as focusing on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the incremental deployment of resources.
Speaking at today’s launch, Inspector Ciaran Nunan of the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said:
“Halloween is a family occasion full of excitement and fun for young and old. We are appealing to parents and guardians, particularly those with young children, to be aware of the serious danger of fireworks and the nuisance they cause to communities.
“Fireworks are illegal, and young people especially need to be fully aware that it is a criminal offence to throw or direct any ignited firework at a person or property. Over the coming weeks, Community Policing Gardaí will be visiting schools to speak with children about the dangers and criminal offences associated with fireworks.
“An Garda Síochána will be proactively targeting the supply of illegal or unlicensed fireworks under our national operation, ‘Operation Tombola.’ Illegal fireworks are seized so as to prevent anti-social behaviour and dangerous incidents including possible injury and we will prosecute those responsible.
“If you have information relating to the sale or supply illegal or unlicensed fireworks, please contact your local Garda Station or speak with us on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Doing so might prevent serious injury to a young child this year.”
Minister Jim O’Callaghan concluded by urging anyone tempted to use fireworks this Halloween to consider the consequences their actions may have on themselves and the wider community. He said:
“We hear far too often of young people who have suffered injuries because of fireworks. These incidents put our emergency services and frontline workers under enormous extra pressure at this time of year, which puts everybody at risk.”
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Note to Editors:
The importation of fireworks is controlled under law in the interests of safety and security. Government policy restricts the availability of all hazardous fireworks to the public. Licences under the Explosives Act are issued by the Department only for the importation of fireworks which are to be used in organised displays conducted by professional and competent operators.
An example of the penalties faced include a fine of up to €10,000 and up to five years imprisonment if convicted of having fireworks in your possession with intent to sell or supply. Igniting fireworks or throwing an ignited firework at a person or property is also liable to the same severe penalty. These penalties demonstrate the seriousness attached to breaches of the legislation governing the importation and use of fireworks.
