Two men have appeared in court on firearms charges following an operation involving hundreds of gardaí earlier this week.
The men were allegedly found in a car along with a Glock handgun and ammunition when they were stopped by officers from the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).
Another 18 locations were subsequently searched in an operation involving more than 300 garda, including members of the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service and Emergency Response Unit.
Declan Coulahan (45) and Michael Simpson (35) appeared at Blanchardstown District Court following their arrest.
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Both men face the same charges, possession of a “9mm Luger calibre Glock model 17 semi-automatic pistol” and 10 rounds of “9mm Luger calibre ammunition” on Tuesday evening.
They were allegedly found with the weapon while in a car on Rowlagh Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Det Gda James Morris told the court Mr Coulahan, of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, Dublin, made no reply after he was cautioned on Thursday.
An application was made for legal aid for Mr Coulahan but Det Gda Morris said the Garda objects to this. He said the accused is employed and earning €650 a week.
Mr Coulahan’s counsel said it is a “very complicated case” and at the “high end of these types of situations”. He said the case will almost certainly be sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court for trial.
The Garda requested a statement of the accused’s means and Judge David McHugh reserved a decision on legal aid until next week.
Det Gda Peter Morris said Mr Simpson, of Rowlagh Avenue, Clondalkin, also made no reply when cautioned. The judge also reserved a decision on legal aid in his case. There was no application for bail in either case.
Judge McHugh adjourned both cases until Monday in the Criminal Courts of Justice.
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