Gun accused 'thought he was picking up phone'

A Louth man accused of receiving a pistol and ammunition from another man told gardaí during interviews that he was told to pick up a mobile phone, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

The court has previously heard that the accused received a Meteor mobile phone box containing a pistol and ammunition.

Eugene Kelly (aged 43), 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 50 rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at Castletown Rd, Dundalk, Co Louth on July 19 last year.

Gda Tom Molloy told the court that he interviewed Mr Kelly on the day of the alleged offence.

Mr Kelly told him: “I had to see some fella to pick up a mobile phone... I don’t know his name. I was told to meet him there.”

Gda Molloy asked: “Who told you?”

Mr Kelly replied: “I don’t really want to say.”

Det. Gda Brendan Tighe interviewed Mr Kelly the day after his arrest, the court heard.

Mr Kelly said that he was supposed to collect the mobile phone for another man. When asked who the other man was, Mr Kelly said, “I don’t want to say”, the court heard.

D Gda Tighe asked the accused: “What were you going to do with the package?”

"I don’t want to say.”

"Why?” D Gda Tighe asked.

“Because now I know it was not a mobile phone and I’m in fear of my life,” Mr Kelly said.

The trial continues.