Cork pair admit keeping arms for Real IRA, court hears

A man and woman from Co Cork admitted keeping guns and ammunition for a Real IRA unit in Cork, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

Detective Superintendent Tony Quilter told the court that Michelle O’Rourke had kept the guns and ammunition at her home in Doneraile for three months and that Brian McSweeney had kept the weapons in the boot of his car for 12 hours after helping to move them from one location to another.

O’Rourke, aged 23, of Rockview Terrace, Doneraile pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of an AK47 assault rifle, a shotgun, a pistol, 119 shotgun cartridges and 126 rounds of ammunition at her home on a date unknown between July 1 and September 29, 2002.

McSweeney, aged 22, of Coolowen, Blarney admitted having the guns and ammunition at Coolowen, Blarney between September 28 and 29, 2002.

Det. Supt Quilter, of Anglesea Street Garda Station, told the court that gardaí searched a house in Co Cork after receiving confidential information and found the guns and ammunition.

As a result the homes of O’Rourke and McSweeney were also searched and they were arrested.

In interviews with the gardaí McSweeney admitted keeping the guns in a bag in the boot of his car overnight after collecting them from a house in Co Cork.

McSweeney also admitted opening the bag and seeing "a big black gun". McSweeney told gardaí he had delivered the bag to Stoneview in Blarney.

O’Rourke said she agreed to allow the "stuff" to be stored in her house and over a couple of months she saw three or four guns at different times.

She told gardaí that the guns had been removed from her house the Saturday before she was arrested.

O’Rourke also told gardai that she stored the guns "more through friendship than fear" and she knew the guns were to be used by subversives in the north of Ireland.

McSweeney said in evidence: "It’s my own fault. It was stupid. I take responsibility for my actions."

O’Rourke said in evidence: "It was stupid of me to get involved. I was afraid of my life."

The court remanded both accused on continuing bail until tomorrow while it considers the sentences.