Evidence of "Queen's visit" explosives accused "utterly implausible", prosecution tells court

A 66-year-old man from Drumlish, County Longford has denied five charges relating to bomb threats made during a state visit in May 2011. Donal Billings stands accused of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park and of making four false reports under the Criminal Law Act, allegedly threatening bombs at locations including Dublin and Cork airport. The Special Criminal Court heard closing arguments on Wednesday. The prosecution submitted that circumstantial evidence, including a SIM card found in Mr Billings's possession and mobile phone records, proved his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Prosecuting counsel described the defendant's testimony as "utterly incredible" and "completely implausible". The defence disputed the reliability of phone evidence and argued insufficient direct proof connected Mr Billings to explosives found on a bus. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with two other judges, will deliver a verdict on 26 October. Mr Billings was remanded on continuing bail.