Courts / Kildare / Report
Man's denial over explosives "totally incredible", court finds
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, John Roche (55) and John Brock (46) were found guilty of possessing 167 kg of explosives in a black Skoda Fabia. Gardaí discovered four plastic bags of homemade explosives and 18 detonators under the front passenger seat on Naas Road. Roche claimed he had no knowledge of the explosives and denied being at Behans Quarry, but the judge deemed his denials "totally incredible" and concluded he had full control of the vehicle's contents. Brock, a front‑seat passenger, also denied knowledge but was found to have been aware of the bulky load. Both men were remanded pending sentencing, with the court noting they acted in concert to transport the explosives, contravening the Explosive Substances Act 1883. John Roche pleaded not guilty. John Brock pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man's denial over explosives "totally incredible", court finds. 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: sentence
When:
- April 13, 2016 Incident
- April 13 Incident
- 2019-04-05 Publication
Case subjects
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
Outcome: The convicted men were remanded in custody until Monday, when they will be sentenced.
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
Outcome: The convicted men were remanded in custody until Monday, when they will be sentenced.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- 'Merciful approach': man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her won't face any extra jail time
- Court rejects grandfather's appeal for abusing grandson
- 'I'm going to kill you' - Carjacker held knife to elderly woman's throat
- Mum-of-eight who booked hotel stays with gunman husband during garda manhunt gets suspended sentence
- Nigerian 'Colonel and Major' get combined 16.5 years over 'worldwide, breathtaking' money laundering racket
- Addict jailed after being caught with €330k worth of cannabis following traffic stop
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request