Christopher Gerard Condon has federal weapons charges dropped in Townsville Magistrates Court
A Townsville businessman has had federal weapons charges against him dropped, more than five years after the AFP raided the showgrounds.
A Townsville businessman accused of federal weapons charges has had the remainder of his charges dismissed in Townsville Magistrates Court.
Townsville Showgrounds manager Christopher Gerard Condon appeared in court on Monday as his charges of two counts of unlawful possession of weapons, and one count of authority required to possess explosives were dropped by prosecution.
In 2022, Mr Condon pleaded not guilty to possessing a .22 caliber Manurhin semiautomatic pistol, two silencers, and ammunition while not the holder of an authority issued under the Weapons Act. Officers alleged the items were all found by the Australian Federal Police at the West End Showgrounds in March 2020.
He was also previously accused of applying for Commonwealth grant funding with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss, but had the charge dropped in 2022.
Police prosecutor Dane Marley told the court on Monday an objection was raised with him regarding some evidence.
“In respect of each of those charges the prosecution offers no evidence,” he said.
Magistrate Viviana Keegan dismissed Mr Condon of the charges.
Mr Condon’s lawyer Claire Grant, instructed by Anderson Telford, told the court a request had been made for property seized during federal police raids to be returned to her client.
“Arrangements will be made by the prosecution for the Queensland Police Service to return $11,000 cash seized, and we seek the return of that property within 28 days of today,” she said.
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Originally published as Christopher Gerard Condon has federal weapons charges dropped in Townsville Magistrates Court
