Man appears before special court sitting in Cork in connection with firearms and explosives offences

A 45 year old man has appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court charged in connection with firearms and explosives offences.

Paul Sheehan of Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas in Cork faces a total of four charges. 

Garda Anthony Daly of Mallow Garda Station in Co Cork gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told Judge Joanne Carroll that Mr Sheehan was formally charged with the four offences at 6.57pm on November 7, at Mallow Garda Station.

Det Garda Daly told the court that Mr Sheehan replied in different ways to the charges. His replies included making no reply, saying: "No thanks, I understand"; "No, I understand thank you" and "No, thank you."

The alleged offences are contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. One charge was brought under the Explosive Substances Act of 1883.

The charges faced by Mr Sheehan include possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol, a deactivated .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, a slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol, and three pipe bomb bodies.

He is also charged with unlawful possession of the .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic and the slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow on on November 4.

Mr Sheehan is also charged with unlawful possession of a deactivated .38 calibre Smith & Wesson six shot revolver and three pipe bomb casings at Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn in Douglas on November 5.

Defence solicitor David O’Meara said that bail was not being applied for at this juncture. 

However, he indicated that a bail application could be made when Mr Sheehan is next before the court. Mr O’Meara said that it was a “serous matter” and he would need time to “get his ducks in order.” 

 Inspector David Noonan said that gardaí were seeking remand in custody in the case. He stated that the DPP has instructed that all four charges remain before Cork District Court.

A legal aid application was made by Mr O’Meara. Judge Carroll asked if the house in Shamrock Lawn was owned by Mr Sheehan. However, she was informed that it belonged to his parents. Mr Sheehan, who is on job seekers allowance, was assigned free legal.

Judge Carroll remanded Mr Sheehan in custody to appear in court by video link on November 12 next. Mr O’Meara has to let the State know by Monday if he plans to make a bail application on behalf of his client when he is next before the court.

Meanwhile, Mr Sheehan was arrested at Lisanisky in Mallow in Co Cork last Tuesday.

He was held for questioning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a garda station in Cork.

His arrest led to a number of follow-up searches at a house in Cork city.