A MAN CHARGED over a seizure of components for 18 semi-automatic firearms and over 900 rounds of ammunition in Co Louth has been granted €115,000 bail with a range of strict conditions.

Mark McCourt, 33, from Edencrieve in Co Down, and 27-year-old Conor O’Brien, from Kilpatrick, Ardee in Co Louth, were arrested on 19 July by Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau officers.

Both men face the same 23 charges, possession of gun components and ammunition.

It is also alleged there was a silencer among the weaponry found at a shed on John Street, Blackstick, Ardee.

They were remanded in custody following a District Court appearance on 24 July.

Mr McCourt has not sought bail, but co-defendant Mr O’Brien made an application during this week’s bail list at the High Court in Cloverhill.

Keith Branagan BL, for the State, told Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo that there was a garda objection.

Citing the seriousness of the case and flight risk fears, Detective Garda Suzanne Lyons alleged that gardaí received confidential information about the importation of firearms shipped to Ireland to be sold to criminal groups.

Officers went to the property, which was said to have been rented by Mr O’Brien. It was alleged the defendants failed to let garda in, and there was an attempt to conceal two mobile phones.

Garda gained entry and found a suitcase containing parts for six semi-automatic assault rifles and 12 semi-automatic pistols. The court heard that serial numbers showing their true origin had been removed.

The court heard that there were also 904 rounds of ammunition and two Airsoft rifles.

Detective Garda Lyons alleged Mr O’Brien had a “central role”, and there were flight risk concerns because he had travelled to the UK and has dual Irish-US citizenship.

He lived in the United States, where his mother is from, until he was five, and regularly went to America two or three times a year to visit his grandparents.

Cross-examined by Michael Bowman SC for Mr O’Brien, it emerged that the accused had set up an LED lighting business after he left a job with Intel.

The officer agreed that Mr O’Brien had no prior criminal convictions and his travel documents had been seized.

His lawyers had a letter from the American embassy stating that Irish authorities would be notified if he applied to travel to the United States.

His father offered to stand bail using funds from an insurance payout and confirmed he could live at his address.

Mr Justice Naidoo noted the seriousness of the case, but he held bail could be granted with conditions.

It was set in Mr O’Brien’s bond of €40,000 with a €75,000 independent surety.

He must obey a 9 pm – 9 am curfew, sign on daily at his local garda station, not associate with his co-accused, not leave the state, and not apply to replace his travel documents, which have been handed over already. His father must notify gardaí of any breaches and let them into the house if Mr O’Brien does not present himself.