200 witnesses to be called in gun-haul case

Over 200 witnesses will be called in the trial of two men facing charges in connection with a guns haul in Cork that include two rocket launchers, five AK47s and two Uzi submachine guns, it emerged today.

Glen Geasley of 10 Innishmore Drive, Ballincollig, County Cork and Seán Callinan of 11 Pearse Park, Tullamore, County Offaly, appeared today at the opening day of the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Prosecution barrister, Marjorie Farrelly, told Judge Patrick J. Moran that it would be a lengthy trial with over 200 witnesses. She applied to have the case adjourned for mention on November 15.

Ms Farrelly BL indicated that it would be a lengthy trial and she said that it was anticipated that the case would not be ready to go for trial until some date in the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court in February 2008.

Patrick O’Neill, barrister for Geasley, and Blaise O’Carroll, senior counsel, for Callanan had no objection to the adjournment until November 15 for the purposes of fixing a date for the trial of the matter.

Each defendant faces different charges in relation to the same cache of arms.

The charge faced by Geasley (aged 26), states that on dates between February 22 and April 20, within the State, he and others conspired together to commit crimes punishable by law, namely the possession of firearms with intent to enable any other person by means of such firearms to endanger life or cause injury to property, contrary to Common Law.

Callinan (aged 20), faces a charge of attempting to have in his possession the same firearms at the Ibis Hotel, Dunkettle, Co Cork, in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that such possession would not be for a lawful purpose, contrary to Common Law.

The list of 24 weapons referred to in the charge faced by each defendant consists of: two RPG rocket launchers, five AKM assault rifles (commonly known as AK47s), five AR15 semi automatic assault rifles, two Uzi machine guns, three Smith and Wesson, two Browning semi-automatic assault rifles and five Sig Saur pistols.