Courts / Longford / Report
Anonymous caller claimed bombs were "for the Queen"
Summary
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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Anonymous caller claimed bombs were "for the Queen". Charges or matters: each of the five charges. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 16th, 2011 Incident
- May 18th Hearing Or Sentence
- May 20th Hearing Or Sentence
- May 20th, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-10-06 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- man who called Longford garda station
- Longford
- was made to Longford garda station
- with gardai to Longford garda station
- of Store Street garda station
- Store Street
- of Pearse Street garda station
- Pearse Street
- on duty at Longford garda station
- Special Criminal Court
- Parnell Square
Topics
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