Two brothers charged with firearm offences following the seizure of guns and ammunition in Finglas, Dublin, over two years ago have been refused bail in the High Court.
31-year-old Glen Ward has been charged with two firearm offences, while his younger brother, 22-year-old Eric O’Driscoll, faces six firearm charges.
They are also awaiting a decision on whether they will be allowed free legal aid following a query about them having “high-end Rolex watches”.
The defendants appeared in court today via video link for their bail application.
They only spoke once to confirm their names and chose not to give evidence.
Family members were in court and offered to stand bail.
Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said the pair enjoyed the presumption of innocence, but she denied the brothers’ bail.
“We are not talking about firearms found in a farm or a country setting”, the judge said.
“We are talking about military-grade weapons and discharging in a built-up location where members of the public might have been, and that is a concern,” she added.
Detective Sergeant Niall Murray told the court that the brothers were not on social welfare, that an expensive car had been seized from Mr Ward, and he alleged they were “in control of high-end Rolex watches”.
He added that a District Court judge had deferred granting free legal aid pending more information and “further consideration”.
A ruling on that application is expected on 27 February.
