Courts / Kildare / Report

Accused gave no reply when asked to account for 150kg of explosives

Date
2019-03-28
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Naas
County
Kildare

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of John Brock, 46, and John Roche, 55, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged possession of 57kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix explosives and thirty-eight 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Road, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016. Prosecution witnesses testified that armed gardai recovered four bags of explosives and 18 detonators from a black Skoda Fabia stopped on the Naas Road. Detective Sergeant Thomas Power stated that Army Disposal Unit Commandant Oisin Dawson subsequently detonated the Kemegel packets in the Glen of Imaal. Forensic scientist Dr John O'Shaughnessy confirmed the samples were explosives under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. Sergeant Raymond Tadhg of the Special Detective Unit testified that during an interview, Brock was asked to account for the explosives, detonators, and his presence at Behans Quarry. Brock gave no reply and declined to sign the interview memorandum. Prosecution counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC informed the court, presided over by Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Patricia Ryan and Ann Ryan, that the prosecution case had closed. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused gave no reply when asked to account for 150kg of explosives. Charges or matters: possession of 57kg of homemade explosives, consisting of ammonium nitrate fuel mix, and thirty-eight 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Road, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

John Brock

Defendant

Charges: possession of 57kg of homemade explosives, consisting of ammonium nitrate fuel mix, and thirty-eight 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Road, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

John Roche

Defendant

Charges: possession of 57kg of homemade explosives, consisting of ammonium nitrate fuel mix, and thirty-eight 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Road, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Incident
Residence
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Naas Road
Garda Station
  • Mr Brock at Ronanstown Garda Station

Topics

Stage Trial

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