Garda: Intelligence led to search for firearms, court hears

Gardaí were acting on intelligence that firearms were being moved on behalf of the INLA at the time a car was stopped and searched in the Dundalk area, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Detective Superintendent Diarmuid O’Sullivan, who is attached to the special detective unit, told the court today that intelligence gathered suggested firearms, along with other items, were being moved on December 20, 2007.

Superintendent O’Sullivan was giving evidence in the case of a County Louth man, accused of INLA membership.

Anthony Lee (aged 33) of Carnbeg, Doylesfort Road, Dundalk has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mr Lee was one of two men arrested on the night in question, after the car in which he was a passenger tried to drive through a Garda roadblock in the town.

A search of the car boot revealed two bags, containing garda uniforms, two bullet proof jackets and two black bomber jackets, emblazoned with an assault rifle logo and “Republican Socialist Movement Dundalk” on the back.

Under cross-examination from defence counsel, John Phelan S.C, Superintendent O’Sullivan agreed that no firearms were found during the operation but said garda intelligence had been based on “very factual information”.

Superintendent O’Sullivan also told the court that Mr Lee’s DNA had not been found on the items discovered in the boot.

The trial continues on Tuesday next.