by Alison O’Riordan

It is a “step too far” to infer that two Limerick men accused of possessing a firearm had the intent to endanger life, a defence barrister has told the Special Criminal Court.

The three-judge court also heard that the case against the two accused men did not “hang together quite like a West End Production”.

Evidence has previously been given that the two men were stopped by gardai in an Alfa Romeo car which was found to contain a loaded handgun, two petrol canisters – one of which contained petrol – a pair of latex gloves, clothing and ….read more

The most important factor in the case of two Limerick men accused of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life is that the gun was cocked, loaded and ready to be fired, a prosecution barrister has told the Special Criminal Court.

The three-judge court also heard that both men were “forensically aware” from the items found in their car and had taken “serious precautions” that no traces would be left on anything.

Evidence has previously been given that the two accused men were stopped by gardai in an Alfa Romeo car which was found to contain a loaded handgun, two ….read more

A Kildare man known as ‘Mr Nobody’, who pleaded guilty to possessing 15 lethal firearms and 1,355 rounds of ammunition at a Dublin Business park, received his instructions from senior criminal figures based abroad, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

The non-jury court heard during today’s sentence hearing that gardai recovered four loaded revolvers which were “ready for imminent use”.

Declan Brady (53), with an address at The Park, Wolstan Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty in February to possessing nine revolvers, four semi-automatic pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and 1,355 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances at Unit ….read more

A Louth man has been acquitted of IRA membership after the Special Criminal Court found it could not rely on the belief evidence of a Garda Assistant Commissioner as being independent of the investigation.

Michael Connolly (47) of Grange Drive in Dundalk, County Louth, had pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 16, 2014.

It was the prosecution’s case that Mr Connolly was observed by Gardaí driving in convoy with another man, who was then found with two improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Delivering judgement today, ….read more

The three judges sitting at the Special Criminal Court have been shown a “double set of clothing” worn by a man accused of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life in Limerick last year.

The non-jury court has previously heard that two Limerick men were stopped by gardai in an Alfa Romeo car which was found to contain a loaded handgun, two cans of petrol, clothing and cocaine.

John O’Donoghue (29), with an address at Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick and Paul Whelan (25) of Dalgaish Park, also in Moyross, Limerick, have pleaded not guilty to possession of a 9mm Colt, semi-automatic ….read more

Two Limerick men were stopped by gardai in a car which was found to contain a loaded handgun, two cans of petrol, clothing and some cocaine, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

The non-jury court is also to hear evidence that one of the accused, Paul Whelan (25), was wearing a “double set of clothing”.

John O’Donoghue (29), with an address at Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick and Mr Whelan, of Dalgaish Park, also in Moyross, Limerick, have pleaded not guilty to possession of a 9mm Colt, semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Park Road, Limerick on July 30, 2018.

Opening ….read more

A man has been found guilty of possessing €1.35 million in heroin that gardai failed to find during a raid on a Kildare house but that was later found stashed, along with cocaine and an assault rifle, in the base of a bed.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey said today that the “most critical” of the defendant’s fingerprints were found on blocks of diamorphine, showing there had been “direct contact”.

The judge further noted that there was “compelling evidence” to prove that the accused man knew there were drugs present in the base of a bed in a Co Kildare ….read more

The trial of two men charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in Limerick will begin tomorrow.

John O’Donoghue (29) of Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick and Paul Whelan (25) of Dalgaish Park, also in Moyross, Limerick, were arraigned before the Special Criminal Court this morning, charged with possession of a loaded 9mm colt semi-automatic pistol at Park Road, Corbally, on July 30, 2018, and with intent to endanger life under the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The men will appear again for the opening of their trial before the non-jury, three-judge ….read more

Alan Wilson, who last week pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to a murder plot, has been further charged with three counts of attempted murder in connection with a shooting at the Players Lounge pub.

The non-jury court heard this morning that Wilson told gardai he had “absolutely nothing to do with these allegations”.

Alan Wilson (40), with an address at New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 was charged today with attempting to murder Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell at The Players Lounge Public House, Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on July 26, 2010.

Wilson was also charged with the ….read more

(File Picture: Alan Wilson. Credit: Collins)

Gangland criminal Alan Wilson has pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to conspiring to murder Gary Hanley.

Wilson (39) of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 admitted today to conspiring with Joseph Kelly, Liam Brannigan, Luke Wilson and other persons to murder Mr Hanley at a location within the State between September 15 and November 6 2017, both dates inclusive.

This offence is contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, today told the three-judge court that the defendant could be arraigned on the single count.

Dressed in a blue jacket and ….read more