Men appear before Special Criminal Court

Two men arrested in Limerick during garda investigations into the activities of the Real IRA were charged with firearms and membership offences at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin tonight.

Shane O' Sullivan (aged 32) of Sycamore Avenue, Rathbane, Limerick and Brian Murphy (aged 34), of Ardshan, Bally, Adare, Co Limerick were each charged with the unlawful possession of a .303 Lee Enfield rifle and 24 rounds of ammunition at Cloughnadromin, Boher, Limerick last Thursday.

The two men were also charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on Thursday.

Detective Garda Eileen O' Shea, Henry St garda station in Limerick, gave evidence of arresting O' Sullivan at 7.45pm on Thursday on suspicion of possession of firearms. She said that O' Sullivan was taken to Henry St Garda Station after his arrest.

Garda James Ruddle, also of Henry St, gave evidence of arresting Murphy at 7.45pm on Thursday at Cloughnadromin on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, who appeared for both men, told the court she hoped to be in a position to make a bail application on Wednesday. The court remanded both men in custody until Wednesday.