No fingerprints on boxes of ammunition, court hears

Fingerprints of a Dublin man accused of IRA membership were not found on boxes of ammunition Gardaí say were part of a major arms operation, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

Detective Garda John Barret was giving evidence in the trial of Colm Maguire (aged 32), of O’Moore Road, Ballyfermot who has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on August 23 last year.

Det. Gda Barrett said the gardaí seized the boxes containing 149 rounds of ammunition from a man they believed had been in contact with Maguire in Jury’s Hotel in Christchurch earlier that day.

He said forensic tests were conducted on the boxes, but Maguire’s fingerprints were not found.

The trial continues on Monday.