Courts / Longford / Report

Number on SIM card called garda station, explosives trial hears

Date
2016-10-12
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Longford
County
Longford

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Number on SIM card called garda station, explosives trial hears. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011; each of the five charges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

County Longford

Accused

Charges: the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011; each of the five charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Donal Billings

Accused

Charges: the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011; each of the five charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Garda Station
  • of Longford Garda Station
  • Longford
  • heard belongs to Longford Garda Station
  • number associated with Longford Garda Station
  • of Anglesea Street Garda Station
  • Anglesea Street
  • been made to Longford Garda Station

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request