Two men arrested in Limerick during Garda investigations into the activities of the "Real IRA" were charged with firearms and membership offences at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Saturday night.
Mr Shane O'Sullivan (32), Rathbane, Limerick, and Mr Brian Murphy (34), Ardshan, Bally, Adare, Co Limerick, were each charged with the unlawful possession of a .303 Lee Enfield rifle and 24 rounds of ammunition at Cloughnadromin, Boher, Limerick, last Thursday.
The two men were also charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA.
Det Garda Eileen O'Shea of Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick gave evidence of arresting Mr O'Sullivan at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday on suspicion of possession of firearms.
Garda James Ruddle, also of Henry Street, gave evidence of arresting Mr Murphy at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday at Cloughnadromin on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, who appeared for Mr O'Sullivan and Mr Murphy, told the court she hoped to be in a position to make a bail application on Wednesday. The court remanded both men in custody until then.