Two men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court in connection with the seizure of a haul of high-powered weapons in Cork on Friday night. The seizure follows a lengthy Garda operation.
Glen Geasley (26), Innishmore Drive, Ballincollig, Co Cork, and Seán Callinan (20), Pearse Park, Tullamore, Co Offaly, appeared on single but different charges at Cork District Court yesterday morning.
Mr Geasley was charged with conspiring with others between February 22nd and April 20th to commit crime through the possession of 24 weapons which would enable any other person to endanger life.
Mr Callinan was charged with attempting to possess the same 24 weapons at the Hotel Ibis at Dunkettle, Glanmire, Co Cork, on April 20th in such a situation as would give rise to a reasonable inference that possession of the weapons would not be for a lawful purpose.
The 24 weapons include two RPG rocket launchers, two Uzi sub-machine guns, five AK 47 assault rifles, five AR semi-automatic assault rifles, three Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols, two Browning semi-automatic pistols and five Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols.
Det Garda Mark Deasy of Roxboro Road Garda station in Limerick gave evidence of arresting Mr Callinan at the Bridewell Garda station in Cork and charging him with the offence. He said Mr Callinan's reply to the charge after caution was "nothing".
Det Sgt John Cahill of Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork gave evidence of arresting Mr Geasley at the Bridewell Garda station in Cork and charging him with the offence. Mr Geasley made no reply after caution, said Det Sgt Cahill.
Insp Richard O'Regan applied to have both men remanded in custody. The solicitor for both men, Diarmuid Kelleher, said he was not making any bail application at this stage.
Judge Con O'Leary remanded both men in custody to appear in court again on Thursday.