Special Criminal Court set to rule in firearms trial

The Special Criminal Court will rule next week on the admissibility of evidence of the arrest of two men on trial for the possession of an assault rifle and handgun.

Vincent Ryan (aged 22) and his co-accused Darragh Evans (aged 23) have pleaded not guilty to the possession of an AKM assault rifle and Webley-make revolver MkV1 at Clonshaugh Walk, Coolock, Dublin 17 on September 15, 2011.

Counsel for Mr Evans, Mr Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, submitted that the trial should enter a voir dire, a trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of evidence concerning entry to dwellings, the arrest and detention of the accused, the taking of samples for forensic examination and the chain of evidence relating to that.

After hearing evidence in the voir dire, presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler said the non-jury court would deliver its ruling on the matter on Tuesday.

The court heard that the garda investigation in to the offence began after an incident involving the discharging of a firearm on Marsfield Avenue in Clongriffin on September 15, 2011.

Gardaí who searched a Saab 95 car found a short distance away from Marsfield Avenue found an AKM assault rifle, an AK-47 style ammunition magazine, a Webley revolver and a Nike bag containing other items.