Books of evidence served against men on handgun charge

A book of evidence has been served on the first Lithuanian to be charged before the Special Criminal Court and another man who are both accused of the possession of a .32 calibre handgun.

Eimantas Valteris (aged 30) and Patrick McDonagh (aged 49) were arrested by gardaí in June in counties Louth and Meath as part of an ongoing operation to counter dissident republican activities in the border area.

Mr Valteris, a Lithuanian national with an address at Park Vale, Grange Rath, Drogheda, Co Meath, is charged with the unlawful possession of a .32 inch auto (7.65mm) calibre IZH 79-8 model Baikal make semi-automatic pistol bearing serial number TPB358706 at Balmoral Industrial Estate, Navan, Co. Meath on June 10, 2013.

Mr McDonagh, with an address at Naughton Close, Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged with the unlawful possession of the same semi-automatic pistol at Main Street, Castlebellingham, Co Louth on June 10, 2013.

He is also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on the same date.

State Solicitor Mr Michael O’Donovan this morning told the non-jury court that the prosecution was in a position to serve a book of evidence on the accused men. Mr McDonagh and Mr Valteris were then each handed a book of evidence by detectives.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge William Hamill, said the court would list the matter for mention on November 14.