Courts / Dublin / Report
Busaras had to be evacuated after man caught with TNT on board Derry-bound bus
Summary
Patrick Brennan, 53, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing four 400-gramme blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators on June 16, 2016. The court heard that Brennan, who had previously been jailed for four years in 2005 for IRA membership, was arrested by Special Detective Unit officers on a Derry-bound bus at Busaras. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce testified that the explosives were found in a blue canvas bag and were described as lethally packaged, with the potential to construct six to eight car bombs. Following the discovery, the bus station was evacuated and the army was called. Brennan was the sole passenger on the bus at the time of his arrest. Defence counsel Diarmaid McGuinness, SC, noted that Brennan is a diabetic and registered blind, and asked the court to consider his guilty plea. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges John O'Hagan and Anne Ryan, remanded Brennan in custody until February 6.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Busaras had to be evacuated after man caught with TNT on board Derry-bound bus. Charges or matters: possessing four 400-gramme blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators on June 16, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 16, 2016 Incident
- February 6 Adjournment
- 2017-01-30 Publication
Why: Diarmaid McGuinness, SC, defending said his client was a diabetic who, because of his medical condition, was also registered blind. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing four 400-gramme blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators on June 16, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Brennan, who had been jailed for four years in 2005 for IRA membership, was the sole passenger on the bus at the time of his arrest, Det Sg Boyce added.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Anne Ryan, remanded Brennan in custody until February 6.
Places mentioned
- Store Street
- Dublin
- Lindisfarne Avenue
- Dublin
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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