Man (23) held in custody on firearms charges

THE SPECIAL Criminal Court last night remanded in custody a Dublin man who is charged with the possession of a firearm and ammunition…

THE SPECIAL Criminal Court last night remanded in custody a Dublin man who is charged with the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Before the three-judge court was David O’Connor (23), Mary Aikenhead House, James’s Street, Dublin 8. He was charged with the possession of one Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition at the M1 motorway, Balgeen, Julianstown, Co Meath on Tuesday last, contrary to the Offences Against the State Act.

The court, with Mr Justice John MacMenamin presiding, heard that Mr O’Connor was charged with the offences at Santry Garda station. Garda evidence was given that Mr O’Connor made no reply after the charges were put to him.

During the brief hearing Mr O’Connor spoke only to confirm his identity after the charges were read out to the court.

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The court also dismissed an application, made by Mr O’Connor’s lawyers, to have him released on the grounds that he was not lawfully before the court.

The court, following an application by the State, remanded the accused man in custody until next Wednesday.

Mr O’Connor’s legal team said that it hoped to be in a position to apply for bail at that stage.