3 Wicklow Men Charged With Possession Of 2 Guns And Ammunition

The court heard it would be alleged the weapons were bought on the Darkweb with the young men being described as young and naive.

The court heard the three childhood friends were in a car that was stopped on Saturday in Straffan in Co Kildare.

A rifle, a handgun and 42 rounds of ammunition were discovered which it would be alleged were bought on the Darkweb for 2,700 euro.

The court heard it would be alleged 21 year old Evan Fitzgerald of Kiltegan in Wicklow has a fascination with firearms.

A detective garda agreed one of the guns could be used in warfare but said he believed it was bought more for an interest or hobby and not for violence.

Two other men - 20 year old Shane Kinsella from Kiltegan and 19 year old Daniel Quinn Burke from Allendale Lawn in Baltinglass were also charged.

The Judge (Desmond Zaidan) described the three young men as looking so young and naïve but noted the allegations were still very serious and  they had nothing to do with organised crime.

The three men were granted bail (with conditions) and are due back in court in June.