A 52-year-old man from Cork will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court in 2017 on charges relating to membership of an unlawful organisation and possession of an explosive substance. Martin McHale, of Blackwater Grove, Togher, is alleged to have been a member of the Irish Republican Army on November 1st, 2013. He is also charged with possessing an explosive substance—ten sealed bags containing ammonium nitrate and calcium carbonate—discovered at Mall Road, Tirkeenan, County Monaghan, on the same date. The Special Criminal Court set a trial date of February 13th, 2017, with proceedings expected to span two weeks. McHale was remanded to face trial on the charges brought against him.
Two men, Conor Hughes (38) and Darren Fox (26), are set to be tried at the Special Criminal Court on firearms offences on 11 January next year. They are charged with unlawful possession of a Winchester 12‑gauge sawn‑off double‑barrel shotgun and two 12‑gauge cartridges at Kyletaun, Rathkeale, County Limerick on 31 October 2015. The trial is expected to last two weeks. A third man, Jamie Smithers (36), will be tried on charges of IRA membership on 25 January, also expected to last two weeks.
A 66-year-old man from Drumlish, County Longford has told the Special Criminal Court that he was visiting his brother in hospital on the night an improvised explosive device was discovered on a Dublin-bound passenger bus on the eve of a royal state visit in May 2011. Donal Billings denies unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park and four charges under the Criminal Law Act of 1976 relating to false bomb reports made to gardaí, including threats involving Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle and Cork airport. The prosecution alleges Mr Billings placed the device on the bus and made threatening calls during the Queen's visit. Giving evidence through an interpreter, the accused stated there was no forensic evidence, witnesses or fingerprints linking him to the charges and characterised the case against him as entirely circumstantial. He told the court he found a SIM card in a carpark and picked it up. The trial continues.
A 65-year-old man from Drumlish in County Longford has pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011. The prosecution alleges he placed an improvised explosive device in the baggage compartment of a Dublin-bound passenger bus on the eve of a State visit. He is also charged with four offences under the Criminal Law Act 1976, relating to false reports made to gardaí on separate dates claiming bombs were placed at various locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport. Before the Special Criminal Court, defence counsel submitted that evidence for the explosives charge was "highly doubtful" and argued there was no connection between the accused and the device found on the bus. Prosecution counsel contended the charges must be viewed together. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with two other judges, indicated the court would deliberate on the defence application to have the charge dismissed. The trial resumes the following morning.
Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, County Longford, has pleaded not guilty to five charges before the Special Criminal Court. He is accused of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011, and of making four false reports under the Criminal Law Act 1976 alleging bombs at multiple locations during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth in May 2011. An improvised explosive device was discovered on a Dublin-bound passenger bus during the visit. Sergeant Adrian O'Neill told the court that during gardai interviews, Mr Billings denied being at the railway station that evening, stating he had driven to Mullingar to meet his brother. He also disputed allegations regarding a SIM card found after his arrest in a Longford supermarket car park on May 20th, claiming he had found a purse containing it. The court heard Mr Billings expressed political objections to the British monarch's association with Northern Ireland security forces, though he denied involvement in any disruption. He characterised the allegations as "nonsense".
A telecommunications engineer gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin regarding mobile phone mast data from County Longford during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, faces five charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976, including making false reports of bombs at locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork Airport on dates spanning May 16th to May 20th, 2011. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Evidence indicated that phone calls made to Longford Garda Station from an 086 number were routed through masts at Edgeworthstown and near Longford town. The trial continues.
A trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard evidence concerning a mobile telephone number allegedly linked to bomb threats made during the State visit of the Queen in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, County Longford, has pleaded not guilty to four charges of knowingly making false reports under the Criminal Law Act 1976, and one charge of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011. The allegations include false reports of bombs at Busáras and Sinn Féin headquarters on 16 May, mortars at Dublin Castle on 18 May, and bombs at Cork airport toilets on 20 May. Detective Garda Enda Daly testified that Mr Billings was arrested on 20 May in a LIDL carpark in Longford whilst seated in a white Seat Ibiza. Two mobile phones and a SIM card were recovered. Telecommunications data established that the phone number associated with the SIM card called Longford Garda Station on both 16 and 20 May.
The trial of Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, County Longford, continues before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to possessing an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011, and to four charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976 relating to false reports of bomb threats made to locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork Airport. During proceedings, Sergeant Philip Coffey of Roscommon Garda Station described searching a white Seat Ibiza vehicle on 20 May 2011, during which he recovered transparent gloves, a mobile phone SIM card pack, a homemade funnel, and a five-litre water bottle containing a yellowish liquid with a petrol odour. CCTV footage from Longford train station was presented to the court. The trial continues.
A man from County Longford is on trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin accused of making false bomb threats during a state visit in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, has pleaded not guilty to four charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976 of knowingly making false reports tending to show that offences had been committed. He faces separate allegations of making false threats concerning explosives at Busáras and a political party headquarters on 16 May, at Dublin Castle on 18 May, and at Cork Airport on 20 May. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011. During proceedings, a garda told the court that a caller to Longford Garda Station claimed membership of the "Republican Brotherhood, Squad A" and stated mortars were positioned at Dublin Castle. A detective inspector outlined the investigation, which involved surveillance and resulted in an arrest at a Longford supermarket car park. The trial is ongoing.
Patrick Hutch Jnr, aged 24, is accused of murdering 34‑year‑old David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin on 5 February. Byrne was shot during a boxing weigh‑in by a gang of heavily armed raiders. Hutch was charged in May at Dublin District Court with Byrne's murder and with unlawful possession of three AK47 assault rifles. The Special Criminal Court has been ordered to try Hutch under Section 49 of the Offences Against the State Act, and a body warrant has been issued to bring him to the court.
Eamonn Cumberton, 29, of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was charged with the murder of 35‑year‑old Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub on 25 April. The Special Criminal Court, hearing the State's application, ordered that Cumberton be tried before the three‑judge, non‑jury court. The order was made by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Martin Nolan and Cormac Dunne presiding.
A 65-year-old man from Drumlish in County Longford has pleaded not guilty to charges of making false bomb threat reports during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland in May 2011. Donal Billings faces four counts under the Criminal Law Act relating to alleged threats made on three separate dates, and one count of unlawful possession of an explosive substance. The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard evidence concerning a mobile phone number allegedly used to make calls to Longford garda station threatening attacks on locations including Dublin Castle and Cork Airport. An O2 shop employee testified that a customer purchased a SIM card on 16 May using the disputed phone number, providing the name Paul Brennan. CCTV footage from the shopping centre was examined by gardaí to track the individual's movements. The trial continues.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin is currently hearing the trial of Donal Billings, a 65-year-old man from County Longford, who has pleaded not guilty to five charges. The prosecution alleges that Billings unlawfully possessed an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16, 2011, and made four false bomb reports under the Criminal Law Act of 1976. These alleged false reports included claims of bombs at Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport, with the latter threat allegedly made by an anonymous caller who stated the device was "for the Queen." Evidence presented includes testimony from a bus driver who identified a man placing an item on a vehicle, and gardaí who responded to the threats without finding devices. The court rejected a defence application to adjourn or defer the trial due to translation concerns, ruling that Billings is adequately supported by legal and linguistic experts. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 4 October 2016, Joseph Finnegan, aged 54 and resident of Cullenstown, Readypenny, Dundalk, County Louth, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen car. The car in question was a Ford Focus, which he had possessed last year. The court noted that a second stolen vehicle, an Audi A4, would be considered at sentencing. Finnegan had previously pleaded guilty in June to four charges of possession of firearms and ammunition. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel indicated that the only other outstanding charge was an IRA membership allegation, which could be dropped on the sentencing date. Finnegan was remanded on continuing bail until 24 October, with the State accepting the same bail terms. The case was heard by Mr Justice Bobby Eagar, Judge Sinead Ni Chuluchain and Judge James Faughnan.
A man charged in connection with bomb threats made to Longford garda station during a state visit by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011 has pleaded not guilty to all charges before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Donal Billings, aged 65, of Drumlish, County Longford, faces one charge of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park and four charges under the Criminal Law Act of making false reports. The prosecution alleges Mr Billings made threatening calls on three separate dates claiming bombs had been placed at locations including Busáras in Dublin, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport. Evidence is expected to show that a suspect device was recovered from a bus stopped in County Kildare. The court heard that phone records and CCTV footage from a shopping centre in Longford will form part of the prosecution case. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt alongside two other judges, is expected to last four weeks.
Three Dublin men—Jonathan Hawthorn, 44, of Ballintyre Downs; James Geraghty, 60, of Dolphin House; and Donal O'Ceallaigh, 32, of Beach Road—were released on bail by the Special Criminal Court after being charged on 14 September with membership of the Irish Republican Army. The State, represented by Solicitor Michael O'Donovan, consented to the bail applications. Conditions include surrendering passports, obeying a nightly curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, staying within the jurisdiction, avoiding travel to Northern Ireland, refraining from attending republican commemorations or gatherings, not associating with each other or with anyone charged or convicted of a scheduled offence, not contacting proposed prosecution witnesses, and providing a phone number to the Gardaí. Geraghty and Hawthorn must sign daily at Kevin St Garda Station; O'Ceallaigh at Ballyfermot Garda Station. All three were released on independent sureties (€15,000 for O'Ceallaigh and Hawthorn, €6,000 for Geraghty).
Jonathan Hawthorn, 44, of Ballintyre Downs, Ballinteer, was granted compassionate bail by the Special Criminal Court to attend his father's funeral. He was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) along with James Geraghty and Donal O Ceallaigh. The court, sitting in an out‑of‑term session, accepted the State counsel's argument that, despite the usual objection to bail, compassionate bail was appropriate. Hawthorn must post a €6,000 bond, reside in Dublin, and report to Portlaoise Prison by 6:30 pm on Thursday. He is required to observe a curfew from 12 am to 7 am, surrender his passport, and may not leave the jurisdiction or contact prosecution witnesses. He must not associate with co‑accused or convicted persons, attend republican gatherings, or apply for new travel documents. The court remanded all three men in custody with liberty to apply for bail until 24 October.
Three Dublin men were brought before the Special Criminal Court on 16 September 2016, charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Jonathan Hawthorn, aged 44, of Ballintyre Downs, Ballinteer, was arrested on Irishtown Road the previous evening; Detective Garda Rory Geelon testified that he was informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that he would be charged with IRA membership and that Hawthorn made no reply to caution. Donal O Ceallaigh, aged 32, of Beach Road, Sandymount, was similarly arrested on Irishtown Road; Detective Sergeant Eamon Hoey gave evidence that he was informed of the DPP's direction and also made no reply to caution. James Geraghty, aged 60, of Dolphin House, Dolphin's Barn, was arrested on Kevin Street; Detective Sergeant Alan McDevitt testified that Geraghty replied, "I'm not a member of any group," when informed of the DPP's direction.
Two men from County Sligo have been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following their arrest in Co Leitrim during an operation targeting dissident republican activity. Damhan McFadden, aged 27, of Kilmacowen, Ballysodare and Julian Flohr, aged 35, of Rusheen Ard, Caltra, were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 14 August. The court rejected a garda application requiring the men to notify police each time they left their home county, instead imposing twice-daily sign-on requirements at Sligo Garda Station. Both accused must observe a nighttime curfew, reside at their registered addresses, surrender their passports and refrain from leaving the jurisdiction. They are prohibited from contacting prosecution witnesses, attending republican commemorations or associating with one another. McFadden was released on bail of €4,000 personal bond with €7,000 independent surety, while Flohr was released on €120 personal bond with independent surety.
Two men from County Sligo have been charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Damhan McFadden, aged 27, of Kilmacowen, Ballysodare, and Julian Flohr, aged 35, of Rusheen Ard, Caltra, appeared at an out-of-term sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday following their arrest. Both men were apprehended in Sligo on 14 August and made no reply when cautioned by gardaí. The court heard evidence regarding their detention and the presentation of charges. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and William Hamill, remanded both defendants in custody pending their next appearance. The case is listed for mention on Friday, 19 August, when the men are scheduled to appear by videolink.
Tributes were paid to Judge Alison Lindsay on her retirement as a Circuit Court Judge. Members of her family and former tip‑staff attended the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to hear tributes from barristers, gardai and court staff. Judge Lindsay presided over the three‑judge court that day. Patrick Gageby SC led the tributes, noting the esteem in which she was held by all members of the bar, both senior and junior, and describing her career as a long and lauded legal lineage. High Court judge Mr Justice Paul Butler called her a wonderful colleague and remarked that her retirement was very early, adding that she was considerably younger than he. Solicitor Michael O'Donovan, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said she was an absolute pleasure to deal with. Former Special Detective Unit member Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire thanked her for her service in the Special Criminal Court, praising her impartial, fair and incisive questions.
William Burns, a 40-year-old Belfast man, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court to seven years in prison, with three years suspended, after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of explosive devices. The charges related to an incident at Kilcurry Church, Co Louth, on May 25, 2014, where police recovered PETN, RDX, an adapted 50-litre beer keg, 50kg of ammonium nitrate, and improvised detonation components. Burns admitted to the offence, and the court accepted he played a comparatively minor role in the enterprise. In related proceedings, David Gallagher pleaded guilty to the same offence and was sentenced to eight years in prison, with two years suspended. Gareth Mulley was tried, convicted, and sentenced to ten years in prison. During the sentencing hearing, Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire detailed how Mulley and Gallagher drove a white Peugeot van to a carpark off the N1, where Burns arrived in a red Volkswagen Passat. An improvised explosive device was moved from the van into Burns' vehicle before Emergency Response Unit members intercepted the group. Judge Alison Lindsay, presiding with Mr Justice Paul Butler and Judge Cormac Dunne, noted Burns' guilty plea and status as a good family man as mitigating factors. The sentence was backdated to July 17th.
A 74-year-old man has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following his arrest in County Donegal on charges relating to the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Féin member and alleged MI5 agent. The accused, with an address in Glasgow, Scotland, is charged with withholding information concerning another person's involvement in Mr Donaldson's unlawful killing at Cloghercor, County Donegal, and failing without reasonable excuse to disclose that information to gardaí. The alleged offence occurred between April 2006 and July this year. The Special Criminal Court imposed strict bail conditions, including surrender of travel documents, residence in County Donegal, weekly sign-on at Letterkenny Garda Station, and a nightly curfew. He was released on his own bond of €6,600 and two independent sureties. The case is listed for mention on 26 October.
A 74-year-old man appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Thursday charged with withholding information relating to the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Féin member exposed as an MI5 agent. Patrick Gillespie, with an address in Glasgow, Scotland, was arrested on Main Street, Dunloe, County Donegal, on Wednesday evening. He is accused of possessing information about another person's involvement in Mr Donaldson's unlawful killing at Cloghercor, County Donegal, and failing to disclose it to gardaí between April 2006 and July this year. Detective Sergeant Barry Doyle of Ballyshannon Garda Station gave evidence of the arrest and detention at Letterkenny. Mr Gillespie's solicitor challenged the lawfulness of the arrest, submitting that a warrant should have been obtained before his re-arrest following initial release. Mr Justice Paul Butler dismissed the application. Mr Gillespie was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday.
In a 2016 hearing, the Special Criminal Court found Brian Kenna, 54, breached bail conditions by speaking at a Wolfe Tone commemoration in Sallins, County Kildare. Kenna, who had been charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army, was required not to associate with anyone charged or convicted before the court. At the event, he was observed conversing with Edward McGrath, 33, who is also on bail for murder, firearms and IRA membership. Garda Colm Finnerty reported seeing both men together and taking their names. Kenna denied any conversation with McGrath and claimed he was not in danger of breaching bail. The court, impressed by Finnerty's testimony, ruled that Kenna had indeed breached his bail conditions and directed the matter to be reconsidered for further action.
Shane Rowan, aged 39, from Forest Park, Killygordan, County Donegal, has been sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court for possession of three assault rifles and ammunition discovered in his vehicle in Slane, County Meath on 9 March 2016. He received an additional four-year sentence for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, with both sentences to run concurrently. Rowan pleaded guilty to possessing a Chinese Type 56, Romanian PM63, and Zastava M70 rifle, along with associated magazines and 153 rounds of assorted ammunition. He also admitted to IRA membership. The court heard gardaí had monitored his movements as he collected the firearms in Dublin before travelling through Northern Ireland to Donegal. Mr Justice Paul Butler noted Rowan's early guilty plea to all counts as a mitigating factor, describing such cooperation as unusual. The sentences were backdated to the date of his arrest.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 27 July 2016, former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, aged 39, and his father Patrick Dowdall, aged 59, were charged with three offences each: falsely imprisoning, assaulting and threatening to kill Alexander Hurley. The alleged incidents occurred on 15 January at Navan Road, Dublin 7, where the Dowdalls are said to have detained Hurley without consent, assaulted him causing harm, and threatened him with death. Earlier, they faced charges for possessing a sawn‑off shotgun and a handgun with intent to falsely imprison Hurley at the same location and date. The court read the charge sheets to the accused; both made no reply. Counsel for the State applied for remand, and the judges remanded both men in custody until 7 October, when the case will be mentioned again.
Patrick Brennan, 52, of Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was charged on 1 October 2015 with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He had previously been charged on 16 June with possession of explosives, specifically four 400‑gram blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators, which were found at Store Street, Dublin 1. The Special Criminal Court heard the new charge on 26 July. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce met Brennan in the court precincts, handed him a copy of the charge sheet and explained the proceedings. Brennan did not respond to questions, remained seated when asked to stand, and made no reply when asked to confirm his identity. He was remanded in custody by Justice Paul Butler, with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, until 29 July when his case is scheduled for mention again.
A book of evidence was served on Larry McCarthy, 37, of Tower Lodge, Crossgalla, who is accused of threatening to kill Noel Moore and damage Moore's house on 28 July 2015. He also faces separate charges of threatening unlawful violence with two others and assaulting David Foran on 25 November 2014. At the Special Criminal Court, State Solicitor Michael O'Donovan confirmed the evidence was ready, while McCarthy's counsel Patrick O'Neill BL said the case would likely take two weeks. Mr Justice Paul Butler remanded McCarthy in custody until 26 July for a further mention.
During a brief hearing at the Special Criminal Court, Conor Metcalfe, aged 25, was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Metcalfe had been originally arrested in November of the previous year but was released without charge. He was re‑arrested on 24 November and brought before the court on 9 am. The court heard that he was taken to Clondalkin Garda Station and then to the Special Criminal Court, where he was handed a copy of the charge sheet. The State Solicitor applied to remand Metcalfe in custody, and the accused's solicitor consented. Judge Paul Butler, with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, remanded Metcalfe until 28 July, when a bail application is expected to be heard.
A book of evidence was served on Owen McCann, a 36‑year‑old from Annaloughan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, who appeared at a brief sitting of the Special Criminal Court on 20 July 2016. McCann was arrested in December 2015 by the Special Detective Unit as part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity. He faces three charges: membership of the unlawful organisation Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA) on 18 December 2015; possession of firearms, including a .22 calibre rifle, a pistol conversion kit and two ammunition magazines on 17 December 2015; and possession of one round of .22 calibre ammunition on the same date. State Solicitor Michael O'Donovan informed the three‑judge, non‑jury court that the book of evidence was ready to be served. Detective Garda Enda Gannon handed the book to McCann. McCann's counsel, Conan Fegan BL, requested an extension of the legal aid certificate to include a second counsel, citing the seriousness of the charges.
A 39-year-old man from Killygordan in County Donegal has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to multiple charges including possession of three assault rifles and ammunition. Shane Rowan admitted to possessing a Chinese Type 56 rifle, a Romanian PM63 rifle, and a Zastava M70 rifle, together with associated magazines, discovered at a location in County Meath on 9 March 2016. He further pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing ammunition: 75 rounds of 7.62 by 39mm calibre rounds and 78 rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre rounds. Rowan also admitted to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. The three-judge panel remanded him in custody pending sentencing on 27 July 2016.
A 29-year-old man from Ballymahon, County Longford, has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court, with one year suspended, following his guilty plea to possession of component parts of an improvised explosive device at his home in June 2015. Paul Dodd accommodated the storage of IED materials, including shotgun cartridges, propellant, cardboard tubing and clingfilm, in exchange for a financial promise. The court heard Dodd was in dire financial circumstances at the time. His co-accused, Brendan Hope from County Westmeath, had previously received a three-year sentence for possession of a completed device discovered in a van during a search operation. The Special Criminal Court found Dodd's involvement less culpable than Hope's. A separate charge of IRA membership against Dodd was withdrawn by the State.
A 39-year-old man from Killygordan in County Donegal has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition before the Special Criminal Court. Shane Rowan was charged with possessing 78 rounds of 9mm parabellum ammunition at his Forest Park address on 9 March this year. The charge was brought before the court on 7 July following a caution. Rowan faces three additional charges arising from the same date: possession of three assault rifles and associated magazines at a separate location in County Meath, possession of ammunition of different calibre at that same address, and membership of an unlawful organisation. The book of evidence for all charges was served on the accused today. Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, remanded Rowan in custody pending his next hearing on 19 July.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, William Burns, 40, of Ardoyne, Belfast, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a keg bomb. The case involved a 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate, PETN and RDX explosives, an improvised detonation cord, a steel booster tube, and a time‑and‑power unit. The alleged offence took place at Kilcurry Church, County Louth, on 25 May 2014. Prosecutor Paul Greene SC described how two men drove a white transit van to a carpark off the N1, then Burns drove a red Volkswagen Passat into the same carpark. The vehicles moved to Kilcurry Church, parked back‑to‑back, and the improvised explosive device was transferred from the van to the boot of Burns' car. Gardaí found a 50‑litre Guinness barrel, plastic tubing with white powder suspected to be explosive, and an electric timer set for a thirty‑minute delay. William Burns pleaded not guilty.
In the Special Criminal Court, William Burns, 40, of Ardoyne, Belfast, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of PETN and RDX, a 50‑litre Guinness keg bomb, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate, an improvised detonation cord, a steel booster tube and a time‑and‑power unit. Prosecutor Paul Greene opened the trial by describing the 2014 incident at Kilcurry Church, Co. Louth, where two men drove a white transit van and a red Volkswagen Passat into a carpark off the N1. The van's IED was allegedly moved into Burns' boot. Gardaí later found the keg, plastic tubing with white powder, and an electric timer set for a thirty‑minute delay. The court will hear video evidence of the events and the subsequent search of Burns' vehicle. The trial continues.
Two Dublin men, Michael Finlay, 36, and Dean Byrne, 24, were sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment for unlawfully possessing a loaded 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and its magazine, as well as various rounds of 9mm ammunition, at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght on 5 June 2014. The weapons were found in a stolen Renault Kangoo van that the men were in when Detective Sergeant Joseph Finnegan approached. Both men were wearing disguises of fake beards, hats and glasses; Finlay also wore an An Post jacket. The detectives, acting under Sections 18, 19 and 19(a) of the Criminal Justice Act, questioned the men about the firearm, ammunition, van, disguise and jacket, but neither responded. Both pleaded not guilty, yet the judge noted they had not opposed any evidence and that the offences were "completely unexplained." Finlay's sentence was back‑dated to 5 June 2014 and Byrne's to 8 May of the same year.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 28 June 2016, former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, aged 39, and his father Patrick Dowdall, aged 59, were charged with intent to commit false imprisonment. The charges involve possession of a sawn‑off shotgun and a handgun, allegedly used to falsely imprison Alexander Hurley at the Dowdalls' Navan Road address on 15 January 2015. The DPP withdrew earlier possession charges and replaced them with these intent charges. Both men were remanded in custody until 22 July for a subsequent mention.
Patrick Brennan, 52, was arrested on Thursday morning as part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity. He was charged at the Special Criminal Court with knowingly possessing over a kilogram of explosives, specifically four 400‑gram blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators. The possession was alleged to have occurred at Store Street, Dublin 1, on 16 June. Detective Garda Graham Dunne arrested Brennan on Irishtown Road, Dublin 4, at 12:18 pm, informed him of the charges, and detained him at Irishtown Garda station. Brennan was transported to the Special Criminal Court, shown the charge sheet, and made no reply to the court's questions. He sat in a light blue, striped T‑shirt, arms folded, and only confirmed his identity when asked. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler with Judges Margaret Heneghan and Ann Ryan, remanded Brennan in custody until Friday, 24 June, with a bail application to be made on that day.
Two Dublin men, Michael Finlay (36) and Dean Byrne (24), were found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of possessing a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol, a fully‑loaded magazine, and various rounds of 9mm ammunition at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, on 5 June 2014. Both pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession charges. The court heard evidence from the Special Detective Unit, including a briefing that Detective Superintendent Tom Maguire had received confidential information about IRA activity involving a stolen Renault Kangoo van with false registration plates that day. Detective Sergeant Finnegan observed the van, saw Byrne in the driver's seat and Finlay in the rear, both wearing disguises. Finlay appeared to hold a firearm; he dropped it after the detective's order. A pistol and magazine were found on the van's floor, plus loose ammunition in a black hold‑all bag.
Joseph Finnegan, 54, of Cullenstown, Readypenny, Dundalk, County Louth, pleaded guilty to four firearms and ammunition possession charges at Special Criminal Court Number 2. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy with Judges Sinead Ni Chuluchain and Gerard Haughton, recorded his guilty pleas to possessing an 8mm blank-firing pistol and seven rounds of ammunition on July 11, 2015, and a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and three shotgun cartridges on July 12, 2015, all at the same address. Mr Finnegan also faces two further charges: alleged membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA, and possession of two stolen cars, a Ford Focus and an Audi A4, on July 11, 2015. These remaining charges are set for trial on October 4, 2015. The court remanded Mr Finnegan on continuing bail until that date. Sentencing for the admitted firearms offences will be deferred until after the trial for the other charges concludes. This was the first hearing at Special Criminal Court Number 2 since its establishment last year.
Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, Dublin, was arrested in Co Laois in November 2015 by the Special Detective Unit during an operation targeting dissident republican activity. He was charged at the Special Criminal Court with membership of the unlawful organisation Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA). A trial date was set for April 2017, and he was remanded on bail until 25 April 2017.
John Roche, 53, was charged on 13 April 2016 with possession of 57 kg of homemade explosives and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives, and with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army. The Special Criminal Court granted him bail, with a €1,000 personal bond and a €20,000 independent surety. Conditions include surrendering his passport, daily reporting to Kilmainham Garda Station, a curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, staying within the jurisdiction, avoiding contact with charged or convicted persons, and providing a phone number to the Gardaí.
At the Special Criminal Court, a book of evidence was served on Kevin Hannaway and four co-accused, who are awaiting trial for alleged offences related to the Irish Republican Army. The group, arrested in August 2015 during a Dublin Region operation targeting dissident republican activity, includes Kevin Hannaway, Eva Shannon, Edward O'Brien, David Nooney, and Seán Hannaway. Kevin Hannaway and Eva Shannon are charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA, specifically alleged to have assisted in interviewing persons involved in IRA organised criminal activities at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, on August 7th and 8th, 2015. Edward O'Brien's initial charge of rendering assistance was withdrawn by the DPP; he is now charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA on August 8th, 2015. David Nooney and Seán Hannaway are each charged with membership of the IRA on the same date. Counsel for O'Brien indicated that legal teams require two to three weeks to review the evidence. Presiding with Judges Alison Lindsay and Flann Brennan, Mr Justice Paul Butler remanded all five accused on continuing bail. The matter was adjourned until June 28th for a further mention.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 June 2016, Michael Finlay, 36, and Dean Byrne, 24, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and magazine, and to possession of 9mm ammunition, alleged to have occurred at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, on 5 June 2014. Detective Superintendent Tom Maguire, of the Special Detective Unit, informed the court that he had confidential intelligence about IRA activity involving a white Renault Kangoo van with false registration plates that day. He briefed Detective Sergeant Joseph Finnegan, who then drove to the location, approached the van with his firearm drawn, and ordered the men inside to show their hands. Finnegan observed a firearm in the rear seat, which was dropped after he commanded it to be released. The men were wearing disguises of fake beards, hats and glasses; Finlay was in the rear seat and Byrne in the driver's seat, wearing a green An Post jacket.
A book of evidence was served on Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, Crumlin, Dublin, who is accused of membership in the Irish Republican Army. Kenna was arrested in County Laois in November by the Special Detective Unit during an operation against dissident republican activity. He was charged at the Special Criminal Court on 21 November 2015 with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely Oglaigh na hEireann. The three‑judge, non‑jury court heard the evidence today and remanded Kenna on continuing bail until 14 June, when his case will be mentioned again.
Thomas "Slab" Murphy, 66, was convicted by a non‑jury Special Criminal Court of nine tax‑evasion offences for failing to file returns on income, profits or gains from 1996 to 2004. The court found he owed €189,964 in tax and that the Cab's assessment of his tax bill was €5,344,157. Evidence included a March 2006 search of an outhouse on the border with Northern Ireland, where investigators seized documents, ledgers, cash worth €256,235, £111,185, uncashed cheques worth €579,000, £80,000 and €24,000, and evidence of cattle purchases and sales totalling over €700,000. Murphy's defence claimed his brother Patrick controlled the farming activities. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment on 26 February. In March, his counsel filed a 47‑ground appeal, seeking a provisional hearing in November, and also challenged the sentence's severity. The Court of Appeal set a provisional hearing for 22 November, to be confirmed in June. The unnamed 66-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Jonathan Dowdall (39) and his father Patrick Dowdall (59) were denied bail by the Special Criminal Court on 27 May 2016. Both were charged with intent to commit false imprisonment, allegedly using a sawn‑off shotgun and a .44 calibre revolver to detain Alexander Hurley at their Navan Road home on 15 January 2015. The court, hearing objections from Detective Inspector William Hanrahan and Chief Superintendent John McMahon under Section 2A of the Bail Act, cited serious offence concerns. The men were remanded until 28 June for a further hearing.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 26 May 2016, John Roche, 52, was ordered to secure an independent surety before bail could be granted. Roche, arrested by the Special Detective Unit, faces charges of possessing 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives, and of membership in an unlawful organisation identified as the Irish Republican Army. The court accepted the State's demand for a €12,000 cash deposit and an independent surety of €8,000, and Judge Tony Hunt confirmed the requirement.
In an out‑of‑hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court on 24 May 2016, former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, aged 37, and his father Patrick Dowdall, aged 59, were charged with firearms offences. Both men were arrested by the Special Detective Unit and accused of possessing a sawn‑off shotgun and a .44 calibre magnum revolver, allegedly intended to facilitate the false imprisonment of Alexander Hurley at their home on 15 January 2015. Jonathan Dowdall was arrested in Clontarf, Dublin 3, while Patrick Dowdall was taken into custody outside Swords Garda Station, Co. Dublin. Neither man applied for bail at the time of arrest. Their barristers, Mr Derek Cooney BL for Jonathan and Ms Annemarie Lawlor BL for Patrick, noted that the DPP had no objection to legal aid and requested that the warrant reflect the men's prescribed medication.