Courts / Dublin / Report

IRA accused goes on trial over bomb found under PSNI officer's car

Date
2020-07-15
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin has opened a trial for Robert O'Leary, 42, of Finglas, who is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army, for a single count. The charge relates to an improvised bomb discovered under a PSNI officer's car at Shandon Park Golf Club, Belfast, on 1 June 2019. The New IRA claimed responsibility, stating the device would have exploded if not for the terrain. O'Leary is alleged to have sold a 2001 Skoda Octavia to a man in his 60s for €700, after the car was found in his yard in May 2019. The PSNI investigated the officer's movements and the car's log book. The trial will hear evidence of the bomb, the officer's statement, and O'Leary's alleged involvement, and is expected to last one week.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: IRA accused goes on trial over bomb found under PSNI officer's car. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Officer One said in his statement that he would usually check underneath his car but that because of builders at a neighbouring property he could not do it discreetly in the two mornings before the discovery. CNI source report

Case subjects

Robert O'Leary

Defendant

Outcome: Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt had previously granted bail to Mr O'Leary in the form of a €100 in his own bond and an independent surety of €1,000 and the defendant was remanded on continuing bail to appear tomorrow.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Shandon Park

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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