Galway man appears in court charged with firearms offences

A 40-year-old Galway man has appeared before Ennis District Court charged in connection with the siege in Gort almost three weeks ago.

Anthony Burke of 67 Crowe Street, Gort is charged with two firearms offences.

He's been remanded on bail and ordered to stay away from the Crowe Street area of Gort.

Inspector Kevin Dolan told Ennis District court he arrested 40-year-old Anthony Burke at Ennis Garda station last night and charged him with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and reckless discharge of a fire arm during an incident at Crowe Street, Gort on October 8th 2006, to which he replied “nothing to say at this time”.

Free legal aid was granted, as the court heard the accused is unemployed and lives with his partner.

Judge Joseph Mangan consented to an application for the accused's own bail of €5,000 and an independent surety of €5,000, on condition that he sign on at Gort Garda Station is barred from any part of the Crowe Street area of Gort.

Anthony Burke is due back in court on Friday next.