Mayo brothers caught making bomb in shed

Two brothers from Claremorris, County Mayo, have pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to unlawful possession of explosive substances discovered during a garda raid on their home in June 2012. Colin Mannion, aged 37, and Brian Mannion, aged 34, of Burriscarra, Clogher, admitted possessing RDX, PETN, detonators, and electronic components found in a shed on their property. The men face additional charges of membership of an unlawful organisation. Armed gardaí executed a search warrant and found the brothers in the shed, where audio-visual surveillance had previously been conducted. Evidence presented at sentence hearing included fingerprints, recorded footage, and expert analysis confirming the explosive nature of recovered materials. Both men have given undertakings to the court against future involvement in such activities. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with two other judges, remanded both men in custody pending sentencing. Their legal representatives sought leniency, citing guilty pleas and limited duration of involvement.