Former senior trade unionist and Government adviser Phil Flynn has been charged with possession of a "pen gun" that fires mini-tear gas canisters, as the Garda investigation continues into his alleged links to IRA money-laundering, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent.
Mr Flynn has been summonsed to appear in Dublin District Court on October 10th to face charges of possession of the weapon and ammunition without a licence.
It is understood that the charge sheets describe the weapon as a "pen gun" and the ammunition as comprising two rounds of .38 calibre tear gas canisters.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the case be heard in the District Court, indicating that the offences are seen as minor.
The Criminal Assets Bureau has brought the charges as it continues its six-month investigation into Mr Flynn's alleged links with an IRA money-laundering operation. Mr Flynn has consistently denied any involvement in such activity.
Mr Flynn declined to comment last night on the grounds that he should not do so until after the case is heard.
The alleged linking of Mr Flynn, confidant of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a former president of the Ictu, to IRA money-laundering caused a sensation in February.
It is alleged that the "pen gun" and gas canisters, which are understood to be a considerable number of years old, were found in My Flynn's office in February, when gardaí seized documents concerning his involvement in Chesterton Finance Company, based in Ballincollig, Co Cork.
On the same day, gardaí discovered some €2 million in cash in the home of the principal in Chesterton, Ted Cunningham. This and other cash seizures came as gardaí investigated IRA money-laundering in the wake of the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery in Belfast in December.
Mr Flynn travelled to Bulgaria the previous month with Mr Cunningham. Mr Flynn said they had been there to explore joint venture business opportunities.
Hours after the controversy began with a series of Garda raids, seizures of cash and documents and arrests, Mr Flynn stood down as chairman of Bank of Scotland (Ireland), chairman of the Government committee on decentralisation and a director of VHI.
He has always insisted that Chesterton is "clean" and that he did not believe any money had been laundered through that company.
He said immediately after these resignations: "I have no involvement, good, bad or indifferent, in money-laundering, full stop, for the republican movement or for anybody else.
"And if I'm proven wrong, I'll run up and down the street naked for you."
He is a former vice-president of Sinn Féin and has described himself as a lifelong republican, while rejecting suggestions that he had any involvement in helping the IRA launder cash.
"Pen guns" are low-capacity weapons which feature in James Bond-type movies and are seen by some owners as novelty items.
However, those that fire bullets can kill, and are much more easily concealed than larger weapons.
The "pen gun" which has given rise to the charges against Mr Flynn, however, is understood to be one which fires small canisters of tear gas, sometimes as Mace, a particular brand name for the chemical. Tear gas pens can propel a cartridge up to 20 feet, and are often sold as self-defence or personal security items.
The District Court can only impose a maximum sentence of 12 months for any one conviction.