Lawyers apply to have explosives charge dismissed

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.