Two brothers who appeared before a special sitting of Mallow District Court in Co Cork on Friday have been refused bail after gardaí alleged that they were involved in the distribution and sourcing of firearms.
Gary Walsh of Retail Park, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, and his younger sibling Damien Walsh of Trabolgan Rd, Whitegate, Co Cork, were both charged with two firearms offences.
The men were charged with possessing and having under their control a .22 Calibre Long Rifle, 3D Printed Harlot Pistol, and with possessing and having under their control five .22 Calibre Long Rifle ammunition at Rathgoggin South, Charleville, Co Cork on August 20.
The court heard that gardaí had searched a car in Charleville on Wednesday night.
Det Garda James McCarthy gave evidence of the arrest, charge, and caution of both men.
Judge Monica Leech was told that neither man replied when the charges were put to them under caution.
Det Insp John O’Connell said gardaí were objecting to bail arising out of the gravity of the charges.
Det Garda McCarthy said that gardaí searched a car which was being driven by 40-year-old Gary Walsh.
He stated that Damien Walsh, aged 32, was a passenger in the Opel Corsa.
Det Garda McCarthy said that they discovered a loaded 3D printed handgun, which was a viable firearm, in the space between their seats by the handbrake.
He said that the State would claim that Gary Walsh was involved in the sourcing and supply of firearms.
Gary Walsh was denied bail.
He said that they they would base this allegation on videos and WhatsApp voice recordings found on the phone of the accused.
He said the videos depicted the gun being handled by a person with a tattoo and that the tattoo seemed to match one on Gary Walsh’s hand.
He said there were also a voice recording of Gary Walsh having a conversation with a third party about supplying him with a gun.
Gardaí allege that Damien Walsh was in the car at the time of the conversation.
Defence solicitor, Joe Cuddigan, said that his client, Damien Walsh, would vehemently refute any suggestion that he heard a conversation of this nature.
“My client says he was not a party to any discussion about the supply of firearms to anyone,” he said.
Judge Leech said that she was denying bail to both men on the grounds of the seriousness of the charges.
She remanded the men in custody to appear before Mallow District Court next Tuesday.
They will appear at the vacation sitting of the court via video link.