A man named as a leading member of the Kinahan Cartel, who is accused of conspiring to set up a discovery of arms and ammunition in a bid to get a reduced prison sentence, has declined to enter a plea.
Thomas Kavanagh, 56, who is from Dublin but with an address in Tamworth, Staffordshire in Britain faces nine counts of firearms offences and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
He appeared by video link in the Central Criminal Court in the Old Bailey and his lawyer said he did not wish to be arraigned as there could be a motion to dismiss the charges.
Two other men, Shaun Kent, 37, and Daniel McLoughlin, 36, both from Liverpool, entered not guilty pleas to the firearms offences while Mr Kent has also denied conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Kavanagh is accused of perverting the course of justice by conspiring with three men named as Liam Byrne, Jack Kavanagh, Peter Keating to possess firearms, hide them and then reveal their whereabouts to the National Crime Agency to receive a reduced sentence.
He also faces eight charges of conspiring with the same individuals to possess prohibited firearms and ammunition without a certificate between 9 January 2020 and 6 June 2021.
According to the charge sheet in his first appearance this included firearms designed or adapted so that two or more missiles could be successively discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger and the possession of a cartridge with a bullet designed to explode on or immediately before impact.
Mr Kent has pleaded not guilty to a similar charge conspiring to perverting the course of justice.
He also denies four charges of conspiring with Liam Byrne, Jack Kavanagh and Peter Keating to possess prohibited firearms and ammunition without a certificate between 9 January 2020 and 3 June 2021.
Mr McLoughlin denies four charges of conspiring with Liam Byrne and others to possess prohibited firearms and ammunition without a licence between 29 April and 28 May 2020.
The court heard that extradition proceedings are underway in relation to other co-accused.
Judge Alexia Duran remanded the case until 8 January for another management hearing.
A provisional trial date was for 2 September 2024.
More details on the case against Thomas Kavanagh on Prime Time at 9.35pm tonight on RTÉ One.
