Man accused of having machine gun and ammunition in Clare forest to face additional charge

A FATHER of three school-going children who is accused of unlawful possession of an M16 machine gun is to face an additional charge, a court has heard.

Evan Little, aged 32, of Inis Eagla, Shannon, County Clare appeared before Ennis District Court this Wednesday charged in connection with the seizure of the firearm and ammunition last September.

Mr Little is charged with having unlawful possession of an M16 assault rifle and 179 rounds of ammunition in a forested area at Clonmoney West, Shannon on September 15.

Previously, Detective Garda Ger Cunningham told the court that Mr Little was arrested during a joint operation involving members of the Emergency Response Unit and the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit.

The defendant appeared before the court, via video-link from prison for a procedural hearing this Wednesday.

Sgt John Burke of Ennis Garda Station told the court that he is to face an additional charge and asked that he be produced in person before the court next week to be formally charged.

He said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that Mr Little’s case should be dealt with on indictment and heard in the circuit court.

Solicitor for Mr Little, Daragh Hassett told his client in court today “we will see you here next Wednesday Evan. We are moving the case along”.

Mr Little has been on remand in custody since last September after being first refused bail in the district court and later in the High Court.

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 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: “This is a machine gun. This is the type of automatic rifle used in war zones.”

The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, January 10.