Courts / Louth / Report

Bomb-maker caught with 500lb explosive loses appeal

Summary

Philip McKevitt, 62, of Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court for possession of explosive substances on 22 May 2010. He had denied the charges. McKevitt's co‑accused, Conan Murphy, 32, had pleaded guilty and received a six‑year sentence, while McKevitt was sentenced to eight and a half years. McKevitt had previously been tried and convicted in 2011, but a Court of Criminal Appeal overturned that verdict and ordered a retrial. The investigation began in May 2010 after Gardaí received information about IRA activity in Louth. Surveillance outside McKevitt's house observed him with Murphy and a garda heard an angle‑grinder in the shed. On 22 May, Gardaí entered the shed, finding two adapted gas cylinders, fifty‑two 500‑g glucose bags, a 377‑metre wire, and a match to McKevitt's DNA on a cylinder handle.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Bomb-maker caught with 500lb explosive loses appeal. Charges or matters: the same offence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• May 22nd, 2010 Incident
• May 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 22nd Other
• 2018-06-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report