Hi °C | Lo °C A GRANDSON of Dublin City Councillor Christy Burke has appeared in court charged with possession of a Glock handgun and membership of the IRA.
Ciaran Burke (20) was remanded in custody after he was charged and brought before the Special Criminal Court.
He had been arrested in Coolock on Tuesday and detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station until his court appearance yesterday evening.
The accused, of Ferrycarrig Park, Coolock, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation on July 2.
He is also charged with possession of a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition on the N32, Coolock, on the same date.
Detective Sergeant Vincent Markey said he met the accused at Main Street, Blanchardstown, at 2.31pm for the purpose of charging him.
Burke was cautioned and made no reply.
He was brought into Blanchardstown Garda Station.
The accused refused to sign his notice of rights.
In the precincts of the Criminal Courts of Justice, the defendant was handed a copy of the charges, which were read to him and he made no reply.
Defence solicitor David Thompson asked Det Sgt Markey who had given him the information regarding the DPP's directions.
He replied that it had been the senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Thomas Maguire.
The charges were read out in court to Burke, who did not speak during the brief hearing. Michael Donovan, for the State, sought a remand in custody. Mr Thompson consented this.
Presiding judge Paul Butler remanded the defendant in custody to appear in court again tomorrow. He also granted the defence an order for a transcript of the court proceedings.
Members of the defendant's family, including Councillor Burke, who left Sinn Fein in 2009, were present in court.
aphelan@herald.ie
