Detectives tell court of NI car surveillance
Garda surveillance detectives were briefed that a car was travelling from Northern Ireland to collect guns in Dublin, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin was told today.
The court heard that detectives from the Crime and Security Branch were told the silver Mercedes car was travelling from Newry to collect firearms and they carried out surveillance on the car from just outside Dundalk.
The court has heard gardaí discovered two rifles with telescopic sights and ammunition in the boot of the Mercedes car they had been keeping under surveillance.
They found the rifles and ammunition wrapped in a white sheet inside a plastic bag in the boot of the car after detectives stopped it on the Swords Road in Dublin.
Colm Maguire, aged 30, of Cherry Orchard Court, Ballyfermot, Dublin has pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of two bolt action .22 inch rifles and 11 rounds of ammunition at Swords Road, Dublin on September 13, 2003.
Detective Garda Derek Hanlon, of the Crime and Security Branch, said he attended a briefing in Co Louth on September 13 where he was told a silver Mercedes driven from Newry would travel south to collect firearms.
He observed the car at a roundabout outside Dundalk and followed it to Dublin on the M1 and then to a car park behind a filling station at Usher's Quay.
The court also heard evidence from Detective Garda William Sisk, Detective Garda Michelle Gaine and Detective Garda Anthony Ryan of the Special Detective Unit who told the court that they were part of a garda team that stopped the Mercedes car as it headed northwards on the Swords Road.
The trial is continuing.
