A man described as a "dedicated republican" and anti-drugs campaigner has been jailed for six years for possession of firearms for an unlawful purpose.
Sean Kind (42), of St Joseph's Terrace, Rockenham, Passage West, Co Cork and three co-accused were convicted of having three pistols and 18 rounds of ammunition without a firearms certificate and to having the pistols and ammunition for an unlawful purpose at Cahir Hill, Ballinwillin, Mitchelstown, Co Cork on January 29th last year.
During questioning, one of the accused told gardaí they were on their way to carry out a punishment beating.
The three co-accused are Walter Nagle (24), of Avoncore Estate, Midleton, Co Cork; Michael Nugent (27), of Meadow Park Lawn, Ballyvolane, Cork and Kieran Kiely (26), of Mill Road, Youghal, Co Cork. Nagle was sentenced to five years; Nugent and Kiely got four years.
All four men were also sentenced to three years for possession of firearms without a certificate, the sentences to run concurrently.
The Special Criminal Court heard that Sean Kind was previously sentenced to seven years in 1980 for possession of firearms with intent to endanger life having been arrested at an IRA training camp in Kerry, at which shots were fired.
In evidence, Chief Supt Tim Callaghan said Kind was involved in COCAD, (Coalition of Communities Against Drugs) and was very active in Sinn Féin in the Carrigaline area of Cork.
Cross examined by Mr Tom Creed SC, for Sean Kind, the superintendent was asked was it not laudable to be involved in anti-drugs campaigning.
"Yes", replied Chief Supt Callaghan, "within certain parameters".
The court heard that Walter Nagle has previous convictions for assault and road traffic offences. Michael Nugent and Kieran Kiely have no previous convictions.
Sentencing the four, Mr Justice Richard Johnson said these were "extremely serious offences".
The court had heard that gardaí on routine traffic patrol found three loaded pistols, 18 rounds of ammunition, balaclavas, a baseball bat and iron bar when they stopped a car containing the four men outside Mitchelstown.
All four were wearing boiler suits when they were arrested after their car was observed being driven erratically.
The court also heard that during questioning at Mallow Garda station about what the men intended to do, Kieran Kiely replied: "Sort out some fella".
It was further alleged that he replied "yeah" when asked if he could tell gardaí if it was a punishment beating.
The prosecution held that the accused were part of a joint enterprise and were jointly in control of the firearms and ammunition.