A man accused of having firearms and ammunition has been further charged.
Mark McCourt (34), Edencrieve, Newry, Co. Down, appeared in custody accused of, on July 19, 2024, at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, having in his possession a semi-automatic rifle, rounds of ammunition, recoil springs and guide rods, receivers for a semi-automatic rifle, semi-automatic pistols, frames for semi-automatic pistols (various makes), slides for semi-automatic pistols, various calibre magazines, four canisters for airsoft weapons, barrels for rifles and a silencer.
Six AR-15 assault rifles and 12 semi-automatic 9mm handguns were seized
A detective from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau gave evidence of further charging Mr McCourt on January 8 last at 10.34am with, on dates between February 10, 2023, and July 19, 2024, importation into the State of firearms and ammunition and possession of explosives within and outside the State, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act.
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Section 72 relates to allegedly participating in, or contributing to, a criminal organisation.
The detective said that the defendant made no reply to the charge after caution.
The officer told the court that this charge stemmed from a further direction from the DPP who had yet to decide on a venue for trial.
Dundalk Court. Stock image.
At a hearing on December 18 last, solicitor Paula Tiernan said that a book of evidence was not required for 23 original charges and that her client would be going forward for sentence to the circuit court on signed pleas of guilty.
Ms Tiernan said she was ‘surprised’ at the new direction from the DPP. The position had changed.
Mr McCourt had been in custody since July, the solicitor added.
Judge Stephanie Coggans remanded the accused in custody to January 15 for a venue decision, peremptory against the State.
Legal aid was granted on the new sheet.