This article is from page 8 of the 2006-01-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
FRESH charges have been brought against three men suspected of involvement in a seizure of guns in Newmarket-on-Fergus almost seven months ago.
Before Ennis District Court were John Murphy (45), Ballina, Killaloe; Cathal O’Neill (39), 20 Upper William Street, Limerick and Michael Gerard Heelan (46), Boherbue, Mallow, Cork.
Previously each had faced three charges, arising out of an incident at Drumline, Newmarket-on-Fergus, on June 24 last year. Two of those three charges were withdrawn against O’Neill and Heelan, while one charge was withdrawn against Murphy.
Det Sgt Michael Houlihan told the court he arrested all three at 12.40am last Friday. He charged all three with possession of an imitation firearm and a sawn-off shotgun, with intent to commit robbery. Murphy was also charged with possession of a CS gas canister, also on the same date.
Dt Gda Houlihan told the court that, when charged and cautioned, Murphy had replied, “No comment.” In reply to the fresh charge O’Neill had said, “Absolutely innocent.” The court heard that the third accused, Heelan, had said “Nothing to say,” in reply to charge.
At the trio’s initial court hearing last June, the court was told the three were travelling together in a van, at Drumline, Newmarket-on-Fergus, when they were arrested by detectives from the Clare garda division.
On that date, the court was told, gardai believed they were about to commit a robbery. On that occasion the court also heard that further charges were likely, once a file on the matter had been examined by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Last Friday all three were remanded on bail and will appear in court next month, for service of the book of evidence.