A book of evidence has been served on a Louth man accused of firearms, ammunition and IRA offences.
Owen McCann (36), who appeared at a brief sitting of the Special Criminal Court this morning, was arrested in Dundalk last December by members of the Special Detective Unit as part of an ongoing operation targeting dissident republican activity.
Mr McCann, of Annaloughan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 18th, 2015.
Mr McCann is also charged with possession of firearms including a .22 calibre rifle, a conversion kit for pistols and two ammunition magazines at Jenkinstown, Dundalk, County Louth on December 17th last year.
He is further charged with possession of one round of .22 calibre ammunition in the same place on the same date.
State Solicitor Michael O'Donovan today told the three-judge, non-jury court that the book of evidence was ready to be served.
Detective Garda Enda Gannon, of the Special Detective Unit, handed the book to the accused man.
Conan Fegan BL, representing Mr McCann, said that because the book of evidence seemed "very weighty indeed" and that the three charges were "very serious", he was applying to the court for an extension of the legal aid certificate to include a second counsel.
Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding with Judge Alison Lindsay and Judge Cormac Dunne, consented to the application, before remanding Mr McCann on continuing bail until October 5th, when his case is listed for mention again.