Man was given gun and bullets in 'swift handover'

A Louth man was given a box containing a pistol and bullets in a “very swift handover” in a carpark in Dundalk, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

Eugene Kelly (aged 42), Ashling Park, Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk, Co Louth has pleaded not guilty to possession of a 9mm parabellum calibre Glock model 26 semi-automatic pistol and fifty rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at Castletown Rd, Dundalk, Co Louth on July 19 last year.

Der. Sgt Thomas Healy told the court that he was on duty in Dundalk on the date in question.

He saw an Audi parked in the carpark of the Claret Bar, Castletown Rd, at approximately 1.32pm, the court heard.

A black Toyota Yaris then entered the carpark and parked between five and ten yards from the Audi, he said.

Det. Sgt Healy said that he recognised the passenger in the Yaris as the accused.

A man got out of the Audi, approached the Yaris and handed a box in the window to the accused, the court heard.

“It was a very swift handover,” Det. Sgt Healy said.

Det. Sgt Bronagh Bergin told the court that she was in communication with Det. Sgt Healy throughout the day.

When he told her that a package had been handed over, she ordered that both cars be stopped and searched, the court heard.

Det. Sgt Vincent Byrne told the court that he stopped the Yaris.

When the passenger, Mr Kelly, was secured on the ground, Det. Sgt Byrne saw a Meteor phone box in the footwell.

There was an automatic pistol and ammunition in the box, the court heard.

The trial continues.