A 34-YEAR-OLD WOMAN charged in connection the seizure of guns and ammunition during a garda operation in Louth targeting an organised crime group, has appeared before a special sitting of Dundalk district court.

A number of residential properties were searched in the Dundalk area on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation.

Ciara Brady, with an address at Cedarwood Park, Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk, is charged with having control of a 38” blank calibre BBM make Olympic type 5 shot revolver in such circumstance to give rise to a reasonable inference that she had not got it for a lawful purpose.

She is further charged with having control of a 9mm blank calibre Ekol make gas/alarm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 long rifle calibre Harlot single shot revolver and a 9mm calibre FGC9 MkII type semi-automatic (carbine) short rifle.

Brady is also accused of possessing 12 rounds of 9mm Luger calibre ammunition and seven rounds of .22 long rifle ammunition.

The offences are alleged to have been committed at her home on Friday 21 August.

The defendant confirmed to the court that she had spoken to her solicitor by phone but she said they could not be present because of the ‘strike’.

Garda Ryan Brennan, who gave evidence of arresting and charging the defendant at Dundalk Garda Station yesterday evening, told the court Brady made no reply when the charges were put to her after caution.

He added there was consent to bail subject to conditions which had already been agreed.

Judge Stephanie Coggans remanded Brady on bail on her own bond of €500 with no cash lodgement and an independent cash surety of €1,000 to appear before Dundalk District Court on 25 November for the directions of the DPP.

Garda Brennan said “There’s a bit of work to be done” in preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

As part of her conditions the defendant must reside at her home address, surrender her passport to Garda Brennan within 24 hours and provide a number within the same time frame on which she must be contactable at all times.

Brady must also sign on at Dundalk Garda Station every Monday and Friday.