Two men in court over gun and ammunition seizure at Kerry roundabout

Men also charged with having stolen property — the rifles and ammunition along with a steel gun case, ear muffs and a butterfly knife — to a total value of €7,500

Brendan Casey at Tralee courthouse. Picture: Domnick Walsh

Two 19-year-old Dublin men have appeared before Tralee District Court on charges relating to a firearms seizure at a Garda checkpoint at a roundabout in Tralee on Monday night.

Both men are charged with having in their possession firearms and quantities of ammunition without a firearms certificate and reckless as to whether the property was stolen.

Brendan Casey, of Lealand Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, and Gerry Wall, of Greenhills Grove, Tallaght Dublin 24, are charged that on January 20 at the John Cronin Roundabout, Ballymacthomas, Tralee, they had in their possession a Miroku shotgun, two rifles; 380 rounds of 0.22 ammunition, 41 rounds of 0.270 ammunition and 119 rounds of 12 Guage shotgun ammunition, contrary to sections of the Firearms Act.

Both men are also charged that they had in their possession a knife contrary to sections of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

A further charge is that on the date in question they had stolen property — the rifles and ammunition along with a steel gun case, ear muffs and a butterfly knife — to a total value of €7,500.

Detective Garda Kevin Walsh of Tralee Garda Station gave evidence of arresting Gerry Wall on Tuesday evening and charging him with eight charges.

“He made no reply to any charge,” Det Garda Walsh said.

The arrest of co-accused Brendan Casey was by way of schedule, Garda Sergeant Chris Manton said.

Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were not yet available. There was no objection to bail on conditions, Sgt Manton said.

The bail conditions include providing €1,000 cash surety, residing at their given addresses, observing curfew between 9pm and 8am each day, signing at their local Garda stations — Tallaght and Clondalkin — and staying out of Kerry. They are also not to enter Kerry except for court appearances or for legal consultation.

They are to have their mobile phones switched on at all times.

Pat Mann, solicitor for Mr Wall, said his client was willing to abide by the conditions. He had already lodged €1,000 and would be taking up his bail.

Brendan Ahern, solicitor for Brendan Casey, said his client would not be able to take up bail on Wednesday but would be in a position to do so on Thursday. There was no objection to an application for legal aid.

Judge David Waters said he was refusing jurisdiction in both cases. He remanded both men with consent to bail.