A man appeared in court today charged with possession of nearly 5,000 assorted rounds of ammunition, explosive substances, and guns.
The accused, William O’Keeffe, (52), faces eight separate charges, arising out of a search conducted by members of the Special Detective Unit (SDU) based in Dublin, of his home and farmland at Laurencetown, Kilfinane, Kilmallock, Co Limerick on May 2, this year.
Mr O’Keeffe, who appeared before Limerick District Court, is accused of having had in his possession 3,189 assorted rounds of ammunition, contrary to Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act, 1964.
He is also accused of having possessed 1,678 assorted rounds of ammunition, without a licence, contrary to Section 2 of the Firearms Act, 1925.
He is also accused of possession of a Remington Wingmaster single-barrel shotgun, as well as possession of a CZ Spotter .22 Bolt Action rifle, without a licence.
He is also charged with possessing three “silencers”, contrary to Section 2 of the Firearms Act, 1925.
Mr O’Keeffe faces a further charge of being in possession of “an explosive substance, to wit a remote switch, timers, electronic components, a sealed waste disposal pipe, doorstep alarm, and ten Mercury Tilt switches, contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883, as amended by Section 15(4) of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998”.
He is also alleged to have been in possession of “an explosive substance, to wit, Nitrocellulose, Nitroglycerine, and Potassium Nitrate”.
Another charge states he had in his possession “an explosive substance, to wit, one detonator crimpers”.
Mr O’Keeffe did not speak during today’s brief hearing which was also attended by two SDU officers.
Inspector Liam McGraynor, Roxboro Road garda station, Limerick, told the court the that “directions” from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) “were still outstanding” and the Inspector sought a three-month adjournment.
Judge Patrick Durkan granted the 12-week adjournment, and remanded Mr O’Keeffe on bail to appear before Limerick District Court again on December 2.
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