Courts / Meath / Report
DNA evidence will link man to Newry courthouse bomb, prosecutors tell trial
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, prosecutors presented DNA evidence linking Darren Weldon, 45, to the February 2010 bomb blast outside Newry courthouse. The prosecution argued that a suspicious vehicle parked outside the courthouse was a stolen Mazda from Dundrum, and that its registration plate, found after the explosion, bore DNA matching a swab taken from Weldon's DNA while in custody on 14 October 2014. Witnesses described phone calls warning of a bomb and the timing of the explosion at 10:55 pm. Weldon, who denied IRA membership, had previously been arrested in September 2012 for suspected IRA membership after attending Alan Ryan's funeral. The court also heard from Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Kirwan regarding his belief about Weldon's involvement. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Martin Nolan and Cormac Dunne present. Darren Weldon pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: DNA evidence will link man to Newry courthouse bomb, prosecutors tell trial. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on October 14th, 2014. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 14th, 2014 Incident
- February 22nd Incident
- January 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 14th Incident
- 2016-11-17 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on October 14th, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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