Gardaí are satisfied that a man charged with the false imprisonment of a couple and possession of firearms in Cork earlier this month is not a member of an illegal organisation, a court heard yesterday.
Det Insp Tom Myers said he accepted that Edward Gaffey (33) was not a member of an illegal organisation and had never been convicted of membership of such an organisation, during a bail application by Mr Gaffey at Cork District Court.
Father of three, Mr Gaffey from Clountygora Court, Dundalk, and a co-accused, Gerard Clarke (37) from St John's Terrace, Cork, are each charged with four offences arising out of an incident at the home of Gary and Katie O'Donovan in Cork.
Mr Clarke and Mr Gaffey are each charged with the false imprisonment of Mr and Mrs O'Donovan at their home at Dewberry, Mount Oval Village, Rochestown on May 2nd and 3rd, 2005, contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The two men are also each charged with possession of a Colt 45 and six rounds of .45 calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Gardaí were objecting to bail for Mr Gaffey on a number of grounds including the seriousness of the offence as well as a fear that he would interfere with witnesses.
Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc said he was refusing bail to Mr Gaffey. H e remanded him in custody along with his co-accused, Mr Clarke, to appear at Cork District Court on May 19th.