A father of three school going children is to sign a guilty plea to the unlawful possession of an M16 machine gun used in war zones, 179 rounds of ammunition and a 30 round capacity magazine in a forested area at Shannon last September, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Evan Little (32) of Inis Eagla, Shannon, Co Clare appeared in connection with three firearms charges from September 15th last.
The three charges include a new charge of having in his unlawful possession a 30 round capacity magazine that was brought on Wednesday against Mr Little at Clonmoney West, Shannon on September 15th last.
Solicitor for Mr Little, Daragh Hassett said that his client’s interactions “are very clear” – that he will be signing guilty pleas to all charges to go forward to the circuit court.
Sgt John Burke said that the DPP has instructed that the case be heard in the circuit court.
Usually this requires a Book of Evidence to be drawn up for such a case. However, Mr Hassett said that his client going forward to the Circuit Court on a guilty plea removes the need by the State to draw up the Book of Evidence.
Judge Mary Cashin said that an accused signing a guilty plea should take place in a court and Mr Hassett agreed, stating “it is a significant step”.
Sgt Burke said that Gardai would expedite the paperwork for this to happen and Judge Mary Cashin said that the case could be adjourned for one week.
Mr Little is charged with having in his unlawful possession an M16 assault rifle and 179 rounds of ammunition in a forested area at Clonmoney West, Shannon on September 15th.
Mr Little was first arrested arising from a joint operation between the Emergency Response Unit and the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit.
Mr Little has been on remand in custody since last September after being first refused bail in the district court and in the High Court in November.
At the district court bail hearing last September, solicitor for Mr Little, Daragh Hassett said that his client “is a law abiding PAYE worker” and that his client’s time in custody is the first time Mr Little has ever spent time in prison.
Det Garda Ger Cunningham said that Gardai were objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the significant calibre weapon involved which he said is commonly used by military personnel.
Mr Little is a qualified tree surgeon.
On the weapon seized, Judge Alec Gabbett commented last September: “This is a machine gun. This is the type of automatic rifle used in war zones.”
Today in court, Judge Cashin remanded Mr Little in custody to appear in person in court next Wednesday, January 17th
