Man charged with gun possession granted bail variation to work as security guard

A Lithuanian man charged with the possession of a handgun has been granted a bail variation to allow him take up work as a security guard.

Eimantas Valteris (aged 30) and his co-accused 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 is the first Lithuanian to be charged before the Special Criminal Court.

The accused man, 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 hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on the same date.

Mr Valteris was granted bail by the non-jury court under a number of conditions, including that he observe a curfew between 12 midnight and 8am.

Counsel for Mr Valteris, Mr Andrew King BL, this morning told the court that Valteris had been offered work as a security guard with a construction company.

Due to the length of time it will take Mr Valteris to travel to and from work, counsel asked the court to amend the bail conditions and impose a curfew between just 6am and 7am. Mr King said gardaí had consented to the variation.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler remarked that it was “amazing” how many people before the Special Criminal Court work as security guards.

Mr Justice Butler, sitting with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge William Hamill, said the court would grant the variation after hearing the bail surety was in court.

He remanded the accused men on continuing bail until December 12.