Man refused bail after firearm find in Cork city

Accused found with firearm and ammunition after being stopped by gardaí while driving erratically

Zac O'Leary was denied bail at Cork District Court, Picture: Larry Cummins

A 23-year-old man has been remanded in custody in Cork after he was charged with being in possession of a .22 Long Rifle calibre bolt and 81 rounds of ammunition.

Zac O’Leary, of Palmbury Orchard in Togher, Cork, appeared before Cork District Court on Sunday where he was charged with being in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The alleged offences fall under Section 27(A) of the Firearms Act 1964 as amended.

Det Garda Mike Abernethy, of Gurranabraher Garda Station on the northside of the city, gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution.

He said that Mr O’Leary made no reply when the two charges were put to him under caution on Saturday.

Det Garda Abernethy said that he was on patrol on Friday evening when he observed an Audi car being driven erratically on the Lower Glanmire Road.

He stopped the car at 10.30pm and noted that there was a female driver and a male front seat passenger.

A search was carried out of the vehicle and a .22 Long Rifle calibre bolt and 81 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The occupants of the car were arrested.

The woman, who was in her 30s, was released without charge. A file will be sent to the DPP.

'Full admissions'

Det Garda Abernethy said that Mr O’Leary made “full admissions” as to the ownership of the rifle and ammunition when he was in Garda custody.

He stated that gardaí were objecting to bail arising out of the seriousness of the offence and the possibility of a maximum sentence of 14 years on conviction.

Det Garda Abernethy stressed that the nature of the evidence against the accused was "strong".

“He (O’Leary) was caught red-handed. There is strong evidence to support a very serious offence.

"Full admissions were made in interview.” 

He also expressed concern that Mr O’Leary would commit “further serious offences” if granted bail.

Meanwhile, defence solicitor Joe Cuddigan said that the father of his client had travelled from Pakistan amid concerns for his son.

He said that the man was willing to reside in a property in Tralee, Co Kerry, with his son.

Mr Cuddigan said that “making full admissions” wasn’t the behaviour of a “hardened criminal” with Dt Garda Abernethy agreeing with the proposition that the accused hadn’t caused gardaí any trouble in custody.

Mr O’Leary gave evidence in the witness box to the effect that he was prepared to follow stringent bail conditions and to live outside of Cork to obtain bail in the case.

Det Garda Abernethy said that such undertakings failed to “ease the fears of gardaí” about the granting of bail.

Judge Philip O’Leary declined to grant bail in the case arising out of the gravity of the alleged offences and the nature of the evidence in the case.

Mr O’Leary, who is a plumber and lives with his mother, was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Cork District Court on Tuesday.