Eight men arrested after a raid on a suspected Continuity IRA training camp in Co Waterford in 2003 have pleaded guilty to firearms offences at the Special Criminal Court.
During a bail hearing in August 2003, one of the men told the court that the men were deer stalking in advance of the new hunting season, but gardaí said they were taking part in a training camp in the Comeragh mountains.
Today, Patrick Deery (53), of Woodhouse, Stradbally, Co Waterford; Joseph Mooney (36), of Ozzier Court, Co Waterford; John O'Halloran (34), of Ross Avenue, Mulgrave St, Limerick; Mark McMahon (36), of Commodore Barry Park, Wexford; Patrick J. Kelly (37), of Belvedere Grove, Wexford; and Dean Coleman (23), of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a American-model rifle at Knocknaree, Knockatedaun, Ballmacarbry, Co Waterford. on August 3rd, 2003.
Thomas Barry (21), of Larchville, Lisduggan, Co Waterford, and Brian Galvin (38), of Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Co Waterford, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a shotgun at Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, on the same date.
Last month, Michael Leahy (23), of Mc Carthyville, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a sawn-off single-barrel shotgun at Ballmacarbry, Co Waterford, on the same date.
During a bail hearing in August 2003, Mr Joseph Mooney told the court that the men were stalking deer and asked if this necessitated wearing a balaclava, he replied that he needed to cover up so the deer would not spot him.
Det Supt Liam King told the same hearing that that he believed the men were attending a Continuity training camp. He also said that gardaí recovered firearms, ammunition, balaclavas and a makeshift firing range at the location.
The court remanded Deery, Galvin, O'Halloran, Barry and Coleman in custody and the other four men on bail until February 22nd next when it will hear evidence before sentencing.