A man appeared in court in Limerick today charged in connection with the seizure of a sniper rifle at his home in the city earlier this week.
Christopher Clancy (22), from Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick is charged with possession of a .27 calibre Winchester Rifle for an unlawful purpose on May 21st last.
The weapon was seized during a planned Garda search on the same date.
At Limerick District Court, Garda DJ Hayes of Roxboro Garda station, gave evidence of formally arresting and charging the accused under the provisions of the Firearms Act.
During a bail application, Sergeant Alan Cullen said the weapon had a telescopic sight and was designed to kill a deer in a single shot from long distances.
He objected to bail due to the seriousness of the charge and the possible sentence that Mr Clancy would receive if convicted of the charge. He also said Mr Clancy was aligned to a criminal gang in Limerick and claimed he would commit further serious offences if released on bail.
Defence solicitor John Devane said his client would abide by any bail conditions imposed if freed and said he that, if necessary, Mr Clancy would stay away from the Moyross area, where he has lived all his life. He also said his client had been cooperative with gardaí following his arrest.
Following the bail application, Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he was refusing bail and he granted an application from gardai to have the defendant remanded in custody until next Tuesday, May 27th.