Two men were charged with firearms offences at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Saturday following an attempted robbery at a bookmaker's shop in Dublin.
Mr Sean Connolly of Bluebell, Dublin, and Mr Edward Heeney of Drogheda, Co Louth, were charged with possession of firearms.
Det Sgt Martin Downes of the Special Detective Unit told the court he believed Mr Connolly held membership of an unlawful organisation, the IRA.
Mr Connolly was arrested under the Offences Against the State Act, and a warrant was issued to search his flat where firearms were seized. Mr Heeney was charged with possession of a shotgun with intent to commit a robbery at Hacketts Bookmakers shop. Det Sgt Jim Blackwell of the Special Detective Unit told the court Mr Heeney was arrested on suspicion of having committed a scheduled offence at the bookmakers, having attempted to carry out an armed robbery.
His detention under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act was later extended. He was later released and re-arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act and charged under Section 17 of the Firearms Act 1964. Both men were remanded in custody until October 10th.