Man charged in Cork with possession of AK47

A second man was arrested today and charged with having an AK47 Kalashnikov assault rifle in Blarney, County Cork.

Detective Sergeant Declan O'Sullivan arrested Brian McSweeney (aged 21) of Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, at Colmcille Avenue, in Cork, today and charged him with having the Kalashnikov at his home in Blarney on September 28.

Inspector Con Cadogan said the State had no objection to the defendant being released on bail but they wanted strict conditions and a substantial independent surety. Inspector Cadogan said there was an ongoing investigation.

When Judge David Riordan set the independent surety at €7,500 or a cash lodgement of that amount, the defendant's father, Derry McSweeney, indicated to the court that he had €7,500 in his pocket at Cork District Court.

Judge Riordan adjourned the case until October 16. He said the case would go to the Central Criminal Court for trial unless the Director of Public Prosecutions decided otherwise.

McSweeney had to surrender his passport to the gardaí and sign daily at Gurranabraher garda station.

The proceedings took place in courtroom three at Anglesea Street courthouse today.

Another man appeared on a similar charge at courtroom one. Anthony Crowley (aged 19) of Stoneview, Blarney, was back in Cork District Court on four charges under the Firearms Act.

Out on bail of €500 with an independent surety of €6,000, €2,000 to be lodged, Crowley does not have to come back to court again until November 20.

Inspector John O'Brien initially sought a shorter adjournment but defence solicitor Donal Daly asked for a longer period as he did not expect matters would progress much this month. "The reality is that nothing will happen for at least a few weeks," Mr Daly said.

Inspector O'Brien said it was a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide on whether to proceed with the matter at district or circuit court level.

Crowley is charged with having a Dak pistol hand gun for an unlawful purpose and similar charges in relation to assorted ammunition, a sawn-off shotgun an AK47 assault rifle.

Judge Uinsin MacGruairc adjourned the case.