John Murphy, aged 65, from Clontarf in Dublin, and a 46-year-old Garda, Manus Keane, were charged following a probe by the Garda National Bureau of Investigation (NBCI).

Two weeks ago at the Special Criminal Court, the leader of the gang was jailed for 12 years after he was caught “red-handed” in a garda raid, during which parts for six weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized.

Brandon Hennessy is accused of knowingly "holding down" the man while "RAT" was branded onto his face and torso.