Teenager (18) accused of digging up a shotgun linked to an ‘ongoing feud’ to appear in court without a jury

Diarmuid O’Brien, 18, of Corduff Place, Blanchardstown, appeared at Dublin Children’s Court today. He was previously refused bail after being charged with unlawfully possessing a side-by-side double-barrelled shotgun, contrary to the Firearms Act, at Tolka Valley Park on May 7.

The youth has been charged with possession of cocaine, cannabis and heroin worth almost €70,000 for sale or delivery at the same location.

He was 17 years old when the criminal case began, but is now an adult.

A lawyer told Judge Shalom Binchy that the Director of Public Prosecutions had ordered that Mr O’Brien be sent to the Special Criminal Court for trial.

The Public Prosecution Service had issued a certificate under Article 46.2 of the Crimes Against the State Act, stating that in this case “ordinary courts are not sufficient to ensure effective administration of justice”.

Judge Binchy told the suspect that he should inform the Public Prosecution Service if he intended to use an alibi.

She also ordered police to hand over the videos of the interview to the defense.

Defence lawyer Andrew Molony said his client had applied for bail but the request was overruled by the investigation into Daniel Sweeney.

The officer claimed that refusing bail was necessary to prevent a serious offence and that the teenager was involved in an “ongoing feud in Blanchardstown”.

He agreed with Mr Molony that the young man was not holding the weapon when he was caught, but said he was “getting it out of the ground”.

He also admitted there was no DNA evidence or witness intimidation and that the teen’s mother would notify police of any bail violations.

Mr Molony said the teenager, who has no previous convictions, had now experienced custody and would abide by the conditions. He argued that bail could be easily revoked if there were any breaches.

However, Judge Binchy refused bail and issued an order for him to return to trial, sending him to the Special Criminal Court in custody.

A date for his next hearing has yet to be set. The teenager, who did not appear in court and has not yet entered a plea, was granted leave to proceed and was represented at his trial by barrister Simon Fleming, a solicitor and a senior counsel.