Man and woman charged after firearms seizure to be tried in Special Criminal Court
A man and woman charged after guns and ammunition were seized in Dublin have been sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court.
Jamie Moss (22) and Sarah Jane Byrne (36) were served with the book of evidence when they appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.
The pair were charged after detectives stopped a car on the Old Navan Road in Dublin 15 and recovered a pistol and ammunition.
During further searches, gardaí uncovered a sub-machine gun, a sawn-off shotgun, and more ammunition.
The accused, whose addresses cannot be published, are accused of possession of a 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol and a Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition for unlawful purposes at Old Navan Road on February 16, 2024.
Ms Byrne is further charged with having a Tokarev calibre PPS-43 sub-machine gun, a 12-gauge over-and-under configuration sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and 27 rounds of 9mm Luger CBC machine gun ammunition under her control at her home in Dublin.
A state solicitor said that the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who go forward for trial to a sitting of the Special Criminal Court.
Jamie Moss and Sarah Jane Byrne
Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 3rd
Judge David McHugh gave the accused the formal alibi caution.
In relation to Ms Byrne, the judge assigned defence solicitor Niall O'Connor, one junior counsel and one senior counsel on free legal aid.
Mr Moss was also assigned defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens on legal aid, as well as two counsel.
Gardaí previously told Blanchardstown Court that gardaí stopped a Ford Focus which Mr Moss was driving on the Old Navan Road. Ms Byrne was in the passenger seat.
Detective Garda Mark Ferris alleged a Makarov pistol was in 'cling film, in a plastic bag, wrapped in a scarf' in the car.
Gda Ferris said gardaí conducted a follow-up search at Ms Byrne's home and he alleged a sawn-off shotgun, sub-machine gun and ammunition were 'hidden under the stairs in her house'.
The district court also heard claims that Ms Byrne 'admitted taking possession of them, stripping them down, cleaning them and rewrapping them'.
The accused have not yet indicated how they intend to plead to the charges.
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