A man from Northern Ireland pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday to having two rifles and ammunition in Dublin almost two years ago.
Desmond McCabe changed his plea on the fourth day of his trial and admitted the charges. When the trial resumed yesterday morning McCabe's counsel Ms Deirdre Murphy SC asked for her client to be rearraigned and McCabe then pleaded guilty.
Desmond McCabe (42), Merchant Court, Newry, Co Down, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of two bolt-action .22 rifles and 11 rounds of ammunition at Swords Road, Dublin on September 13th, 2003.
The court heard that gardaí discovered two rifles with telescopic sights and ammunition in the boot of a 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.
The trial of a second man, Colm Maguire (30), Cherry Orchard Court, Ballyfermot, Dublin, who pleaded not guilty to the same charges is continuing.
McCabe was remanded until July 19th.