Courts / Dublin / Report
Man jailed for having "lethally packaged" explosives on passenger bus
Summary
Patrick Brennan, 53, was arrested in June 2016 after Special Branch detectives intercepted him on a Bus Eireann service to Derry. He was found carrying a blue canvas bag containing four 400‑gram blocks of TNT and three electric detonators. The bag was placed in the seat next to him when he was taken aboard the bus by three SDU officers. The discovery of the explosives led to the evacuation of the surrounding area and the involvement of the army. Brennan had previously served four years in prison in 2005 for IRA membership. The Special Criminal Court sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, back‑dated to the June arrest, for transporting the explosives. The judge noted that the transport role was equivalent to participation in terrorist activity and offered a suspension of the final two years if he gave an undertaking not to associate with unlawful organisations, which he declined. The sentence was therefore imposed in full. Patrick Brennan pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for having "lethally packaged" explosives on passenger 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
- 2017-02-06 Publication
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. However, after a brief consultation Brennan's counsel, Mr Diarmaid Mac Guinness SC said that his client was not in a position to give such an undertaking and the court imposed the full seven years prison sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Store Street
- Special Criminal Court
- Lindisfarne Avenue
- Dublin
Topics
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