Irishman goes on trial in France over arms find

A 31-year-old Irishman went on trial in Paris today in connection with the discovery of an arms stash in northern France in 2003…

A 31-year-old Irishman went on trial in Paris today in connection with the discovery of an arms stash in northern France in 2003.

Gary Roche (31) was arrested in Portugal last spring before being handed over to France. Bernard le Gac (60) was arrested in November 2003 during a police operation in Brittany, western France.

The pair could face up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted of "criminal association with a terrorist group".

"I am a member of no organisation," Mr Roche told the court. "I think that it is only possible to resolve things politically and not with violence." The trial is expected to finish tomorrow.

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Police discovered two machine guns, an automatic pistol and two silencers buried in a forest near the town of Dieppe in November 2003.