Assault rifle accused faces additional charge

A 39-year-old man from Killygordan in County Donegal has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition before the Special Criminal Court. Shane Rowan was charged with possessing 78 rounds of 9mm parabellum ammunition at his Forest Park address on 9 March this year. The charge was brought before the court on 7 July following a caution. Rowan faces three additional charges arising from the same date: possession of three assault rifles and associated magazines at a separate location in County Meath, possession of ammunition of different calibre at that same address, and membership of an unlawful organisation. The book of evidence for all charges was served on the accused today. Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, remanded Rowan in custody pending his next hearing on 19 July.