Courts / Dublin / Report

Man admits having TNT and hand grenade

Date
2019-04-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a non‑jury Special Criminal Court hearing, Declan McDermott pleaded guilty to possessing four kilograms of TNT and the explosive head of an RGD33 hand grenade. The court was informed that McDermott had ten 400‑gram blocks of TNT and the grenade head at Spring Garden Street, Dublin 3, on 2 June 2017. Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC advised the three‑judge panel that McDermott would not need a trial date, which had been set for later that month, and could instead be arraigned on the charge. The registrar read the indictment to McDermott, who answered "Guilty". Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Patricia Ryan and Ann Ryan, remanded McDermott on continuing bail until 29 April, when he will be sentenced. John O'Brien, aged 56, and Martin Manning, whose personal details are not disclosed, also admitted to possessing the same explosive materials on 2 June 2017 and will likewise be sentenced on 29 April.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man admits having TNT and hand grenade. Charges or matters: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation; possessing four kilograms of the explosive TNT and a hand grenade; knowingly possessing an explosive substance. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 2, 2017 Incident
April 29 Incident
June 2 2017 Incident
2019-04-10 Publication

Case subjects

Declan McDermott

Defendant

Charges: possessing four kilograms of the explosive TNT and a hand grenade (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded McDermott on continuing bail until April 29, when he will be sentenced.; remanded on continuing bail until April 29

John O'Brien

Defendant

Charges: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation (Alleged Or Contested)

Martin Manning

Defendant

Charges: knowingly possessing an explosive substance (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty