New charges were brought at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today against three Co Louth men who already face charges in connection with dissident terrorist activity in the northeast.
Des Ryan (53), of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, Co Louth and Barry O’Brien (38), of Stonetown, Dundalk, Co Louth were each charged with the unlawful possession of a sawn off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges at Ecco Road, Dundalk on August 8th last year.
Paul Maguire (24) of Drumleek South, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan was charged with possession of two shotgun cartridges in Dundalk and possession of a component part for an explosive device at Castleblayney on August 8th.
Mr Ryan and Mr O’Brien were charged last August with IRA membership and Mr Maguire was also charged then with possession of a shotgun in Dundalk on August 8th.
Two other men were also charged last August with IRA membership. They are Eamon Lennon (34),of Iniskeen, Co Monaghan and Neil Smith (37), of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, Co Louth.
The court remanded all five men until February 22nd, when their cases will be mentioned again.