Courts / Tipperary / Report

Man (52) appeals explosives conspiracy conviction

Date
2020-07-02

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cahir

Summary

In a 2020 appeal, a 52‑year‑old man named Thomas Bates, originally from Liverpool, sought to have his 2019 conviction for conspiring to possess firearms, ammunition and explosives set aside. Bates was convicted of conspiring with others to acquire illicit items from the United States via the Darknet between 24 October and 10 November 2017. The trial judge sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. The case involved a covert operation where Gardaí received three packages containing inert hand grenades, a decommissioned Glock pistol and dummy rounds, delivered to an address on Abbey Street, Cahir. Bates accepted the packages, claiming they were for his son, a claim later found false. The appeal argued that the trial judge erred by allowing anonymous FBI evidence, admitting a hearsay document, and failing to direct the jury on the evidential value of the alleged conspiracy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man (52) appeals explosives conspiracy conviction. Charges or matters: conspiring with another person or persons of possessing a firearm, ammunition and explosives, on a date between October 24, 2017 and November 10, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

May 2019 Incident
October 24, 2017 Incident
November 10, 2017 Incident
September 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
July 24 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-07-02 Publication

Case subjects

Thomas Bates

Convicted Person

Charges: conspiring with another person or persons of possessing a firearm, ammunition and explosives, on a date between October 24, 2017 and November 10, 2017 (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Judge Thomas Teehan sitting at Clonmel Circuit Court sentenced Bates to seven years imprisonment with the final year suspended. Detective Superintendent Michael Gibbons told Bates' sentence hearing that an FBI agent who was carrying out surveillance on the Darknet encountered a communication in September 2017 from somebody in Ireland who wanted to engage in the purchase of illicit objects, namely firearms, explosives and ammunition.