Courts / Monaghan / Report
IRA trial hears bomb component evidence
Summary
At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, evidence was heard regarding booster tubes discovered in separate locations linked to an IRA trial. James Joseph Cassidy, aged 55, from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to charges of IRA membership on 21 September 2016. A garda ballistics expert provided a statement detailing similarities between a booster tube found in a Monaghan shed in 2016 and one recovered from a homemade explosive device discovered in a County Louth church car park in May 2014. Both tubes were identical in length and diameter, painted black, and featured rows of drilled holes. Colonel David Hathaway, an explosives ordnance disposal specialist with two decades of experience, gave evidence describing the construction and function of the Louth device, which contained ammonium nitrate, semtex explosive, and a timing mechanism. The defence challenged the relevance of this evidence, arguing it pertained to device possession rather than the membership charge. Justice Tony Hunt ruled the evidence admissible as circumstantial. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: IRA trial hears bomb component evidence. Charges or matters: being a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, within the State on September 21, 2016. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 21, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2014 Other
- 2019-02-01 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: being a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, within the State on September 21, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Brave Paddy Power worker helped unmask repeat robber
- 'Monster' Derek Boyd gets life for murder, with sentence for killing sister referred back to circuit court
- Museum employee charged with possessing bomb tells court he wants to reapply for bail 'at earliest chance'
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- Ex-garda seeks allowance for services to Irish-language communities
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request