Three appear in court on firearm charges
Three men have appeared at a special court sitting in Limerick charged in connection with the seizure of guns and ammunition in Co Clare.
Limerick District Court heard that all three were arrested after they were intercepted by gardaí in a van at Drumline, Newmarket on Fergus, Co Clare at around 9.30am on Friday morning.
Appearing before Judge Terence Finn this morning were; John Murphy, (aged 46), of Ballina, Killaloe, Co Tipperary, Cathal O’Neill, (aged 38), William Street, Limerick, and Michael Gerard Heelan, (aged 45), Boherbee, Mallow, Co Cork.
All three were charged with possession of a Magnum semi-automatic pistol, a sawn-off shotgun, and ammunition at Drumline, Newmarket on Fergus, Co Clare, on June 24 last.
Opposing bail applications, gardaí alleged that the three men were arrested in a stolen van with false licence plates.
It was further alleged by gardaí that they were in a state of dress which indicated they were actively involved in carrying out an armed robbery.
However, the court also heard that the question of witness intimidation did not arise in this instance and Judge Terence Finn said he was satisfied the three accused were entitled to bail subject to strict conditions.
Judge Finn remanded all three in custody with consent to bail on their own bond of €5,000 each and an independent surety of €18,000 each.
They are due to appear again before Ennis District Court at 10.30am on July 1 next.
