Dundalk woman charged with multiple firearms offences after Louth garda raids

Ciara Brady (34) appeared at a special sitting of Dundalk District Court after guns and ammunition were seized at her home on 21 August.

Dundalk woman faces firearms charges following organised crime operation in Louth

A 34-year-old woman has appeared before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court following a garda operation targeting an organised crime group in County Louth, TheJournal.ie reports.

Ciara Brady, of Cedarwood Park, Cox's Demesne, Dundalk, was charged with possession of four firearms recovered during searches of residential properties in the Dundalk area on Friday 21 August.

The charges relate to a .38 blank-calibre BBM Olympic-type five-shot revolver, a 9mm blank-calibre Ekol gas/alarm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 long rifle calibre Harlot single-shot revolver, and a 9mm FGC9 MkII type semi-automatic carbine short rifle. In each case, the charge alleges Brady had control of the weapon in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that she did not possess it for a lawful purpose.

Brady is also accused of possessing 12 rounds of 9mm Luger calibre ammunition and seven rounds of .22 long rifle ammunition. All offences are alleged to have been committed at her home address on 21 August.

Garda Ryan Brennan told the court he had arrested and charged Brady at Dundalk Garda Station the previous evening. He said she made no reply when the charges were put to her after caution.

Brady confirmed to the court she had spoken to her solicitor by phone, but said they were unable to attend in person due to the ongoing legal profession strike.

Garda Brennan indicated there was consent to bail, subject to conditions already agreed between the parties. Judge Stephanie Coggans remanded Brady on bail on her own bond of €500, with no cash lodgement required, and an independent surety of €1,000. She is to appear before Dundalk District Court on 25 November for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda Brennan noted that "there's a bit of work to be done" in preparing the file for the DPP.

As conditions of her bail, Brady must reside at her home address, surrender her passport to Garda Brennan within 24 hours, and provide a phone number on which she must be contactable at all times within the same timeframe. She is also required to sign on at Dundalk Garda Station every Monday and Friday.

Source: TheJournal.ie