Schoolboy of 15 charged over `Real IRA' weapons

A Dublin schoolboy appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday on charges connected with the discovery of a "Real…

A Dublin schoolboy appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday on charges connected with the discovery of a "Real IRA" training camp in Co Meath last year.

The 15-year-old, from the city's northside, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is believed to be the youngest person to appear before the non-jury court.

The boy was originally charged before the Dublin juvenile court and was returned for trial to the Special Criminal Court on the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He is charged with the unlawful possession of an assault rifle, a pistol and sub-machine gun and a quantity of ammunition at Herbertstown, Stamullen, Co Meath on October 20th last.

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He is also charged with participating in training or drilling in the use of firearms at Stamullen on the same date.

Yesterday the boy was remanded on continuing bail until May 25th, when he will be arraigned before the court.

The teenager was one of 10 people arrested when Special Branch detectives raided an underground bunker in a disused wine cellar in a remote part of Co Meath.

Two men have already been given suspended prison sentences after they pleaded guilty to offences connected with the discovery of the training camp.

Seven other men are due to go on trial at the court on July 4th.

During previous hearings the court was told that the men were taking part in a "Real IRA" training camp when they were surprised by armed Special Branch detectives.

Gardai found a number of weapons and ammunition in the underground bunker.