Corkmen appear on paramilitary charges

Three Corkmen have appeared at the Special Criminal Court today accused of membership of a dissident republican organisation.

A Cork woman also appeared on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Alan Hickey, aged 19, of Ballygibbon, Co Cork; Anthony Crowley, aged 19, of Stoneview, Blarney and Brian McSweeney, aged 21, of Coolowen, Blarney are accused of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, otherwise the Irish Republican Army on October 5 2002 at Coolowen, Cork.

Michelle O'Rourke, aged 21, of Rockview Terrace, Doneraile is accused of unlawful possession of an AK47 assault rifle and a DAK pistol on dates between July 1 and September 29 last year.

Brian McSweeney is also charged with unlawful possession of a Kalashnikov, a DAK pistol and ammunition at his home in Blarney on September 28 last.

Anthony Crowley is further charged with possession of a DAK handgun and assorted ammunition, a sawn off shotgun and AK47 assault rifle for an unlawful purpose.

All four were remanded until July 22.