A Wicklow man, charged after two handguns, ammunition and a viable hand grenade were allegedly discovered during a search of his home, has had his case adjourned pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court charged with two counts of possession of a firearm and one count of possession of ammunition.
Previously, the court was told that during a search of the defendant’s home, gardaí uncovered two firearms, which were identified by Garda ballistics experts as a Glock 19 pistol and a Smith & Wesson ACP semi-automatic handgun.
A viable hand grenade, an assortment of ammunition and a suppressor were also allegedly found.
They were all allegedly located in a safe in the defendant’s bedroom, alongside multiple airsoft rifles.
Gardaí from Baltinglass and Bray, supported by the Armed Support Unit (ASU), carried out the search, with assistance from the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EODS).
The second firearm found during the search in Co Wicklow.
On Thursday last week, the accused appeared without legal representation, as his solicitor is currently taking part in the withdrawal of services.
The withdrawal of services follows a dispute between criminal defence solicitors and the Government over proposed legal aid reforms introduced on July 1 by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
Sergeant Mick Canavan informed the court that the DPP had yet to direct whether the matter would be dealt with at District Court level or the Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge David Kennedy adjourned the case until the end of November to allow time for DPP directions.
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