Firearms trial adjourned

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin today adjourned the trial of three Northern Ireland men facing membership and firearms and ammunitions charges after hearing that the wife of one of the men died two weeks ago.

The trial of three men had been due to start next Thursday but following an application by Ms Deirdre Murphy SC on behalf of one of the accused, Desmond Mc Cabe, the court agreed to adjourn the trial until June 21.

The three men from Newry in Co Down are Malachy Maguire (aged 34), of John Martin Gardens, Desmond Mc Cabe (aged 41), of Merchant Court and Brian Quinn (aged 32), of Parkhead. They are each charged with membership of an illegal organisation on September 13, 2003.

Maguire and Mc Cabe are also each charged with the unlawful possession of two bolt action .22 inch rifles and eleven rounds of ammunition at Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin on the same date.

Today Ms Murphy said that Mc Cabe suffers from chronic asthma, depression and a back complaint and his wife had died on May 20. She applied for an adjournment of the trial and said that Mc Cabe has three young children to look after.

Mr Justice Richard Johnson , presiding , said that taking into account the disturbing facts of the case the court would adjourn the trial until June 21.