Man (34) pleads guilty over links to importing explosives, guns and ammo

Fiona Magennis

A 34-year-old man has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation to import explosives, firearms and ammunition into the State.

Mark McCourt, with an address at Edenerieve, Newry, Co Down, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Monday where his defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC said he could be arraigned on six counts on the basis that they are sample counts.

McCourt pleaded guilty that between February 10, 2023 and July 19th, 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in or contribute to activity intending to facilitate the commission by the said criminal organisation or any of its members, of a serious offence, to wit the importation in the State of Firearms and Ammunition and Explosives.

He further admitted to unlawfully having in his possession two .233 Remington Calibre barrels from AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifles in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose on July 19 2024 at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth.

McCourt also pleaded guilty on the same date at the same location to unlawfully having in his possession nine assorted 9mm luger calibre barrels, eight frames for Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols, a frame for a Canik semi-automatic pistol and four slides for a Sig Sauer model P320 9mm Lugar Calibre semi-automatic pistol in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose.

Mr Grehan requested that a governor’s report be sought in respect of his client and asked that a date for sentencing be fixed before the end of term.

Ms Justice Karen O’Connor directed that a governor’s report be prepared and set a date of Monday July 28 for the sentence hearing.