Courts / Louth / Report
Two men to be tried before Special Criminal Court on firearms charges
Summary
Two men, Mark McCourt, 34, of Edencrieve, Newry, and Conor O'Brien, 28, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, are set to be tried before the Special Criminal Court on firearms charges. McCourt faces 24 counts for possessing parts for .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifles and various pistol parts, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition, all at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, on 19 July 2024. O'Brien is charged with 24 similar offences on the same date and location, plus an additional count for aiding a criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024. He is also charged under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act for handling €7,450 and $20 Canadian, and for possessing €9,980 in criminal proceeds at Hazelbrook Square, Dublin. The court will hear the case in June.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two men to be tried before Special Criminal Court on firearms charges. Charges or matters: 24 similar offences on the same date and at the same location; participated or contributed to activity intending, or being reckless, as whether such participation could facilitate that criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition into the State; converted, transferred, handled, acquired or possessed €7,450 and $20 Canadian while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct; alleged possession of €9,980 in criminal proceeds; possessing multiple parts for .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifles; possessing parts for various pistols, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 19, 2024 Incident
- 10 February 2023 Other
- 19 July 2024 Other
- 2025-05-26 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Charges: 24 similar offences on the same date and at the same location; participated or contributed to activity intending, or being reckless, as whether such participation could facilitate that criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition into the State; converted, transferred, handled, acquired or possessed €7,450 and $20 Canadian while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct; alleged possession of €9,980 in criminal proceeds (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: possessing multiple parts for .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifles; possessing parts for various pistols, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Hazelbrook Square
Topics
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