THE Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday issued warrants for the arrest of three Northern Ireland men facing charges in connection with a major arms find in Co Dublin last year.
All three men failed to appear in court yesterday when their case was due to be mentioned.
They were charged last year after Special Branch detectives stopped a car and van near Balbriggan. They were freed on bait by the High Court last year.
The men are Mr Hugh Torney (41), of Springfield Road, Belfast, Mr Sean Braniff (41), of Juniper Court, Twinbrook, Belfast and Mr Dessie McCleary (41), of no fixed address.
A solicitor, Mr Leo Morrison, told the court that Mr Braniff was in custody in Northern Ireland and had been charged with offences there. He also said that Mr Torney was not in court.
Del Insp Peter Maguire said that under the terms of bail the men were ordered to reside at an address in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, and to report daily to gardai.
The court agreed to issue bench warrants for the men's arrest after an application by the Assistant State Solicitor, Mr Brendan Counihan.
Mr Braniff was one of three men charged at the weekend with taking two shotguns and a rifle from a house in Annacloy, Co Down, last Saturday and was remanded in custody to Crumlin Road prison in Belfast.
A fourth man, Mr Anthony Patrick Gorman (25) of Dalton Road, Armagh, who appeared in court yesterday was remanded on continuing bail until April 16th.