Courts / Kildare / Report
Two men who admitted running CIRA pipe bomb factory jailed
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing in Dublin, James Brennan (45) and Joseph Kirwan (39) pleaded guilty to possession of explosive substances linked to a Continuity IRA pipe bomb factory. Brennan admitted manufacturing pipe bomb casings at his Newbridge home, while Kirwan was found welding components in a shed. Gardaí discovered six completed casings, a welder, grinder, welding masks, steel lengths, and other materials. Brennan, with 20 years in security, claimed he had distanced himself from republican activity and was placed in a non‑aligned cell at Portlaoise Prison. Kirwan, holding a mechanical engineering degree, expressed regret and pledged not to engage in future criminal acts. The court sentenced Brennan to seven years' imprisonment, suspending four years, and Kirwan to six years, suspending four years, with both sentences back‑dated to the arrest on 28 February 2013. The sentences reflect the court's view that the suspensions were appropriate given the defendants' undertakings.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two men who admitted running CIRA pipe bomb factory jailed. Charges or matters: the possession of explosive substances, including six complete casings for a plate-type pipe-bomb, a Parva welder, a grinder and grinder blades, welding masks, lengths of steel and other materials at Mr Brennan's home on February 28th, 2013; possession of explosive substances. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 28th, 2013 Incident
- February 28th Incident
- 2013-12-17 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said that the court felt the appropriate sentence for Brennan was seven years, but the court suspended four years of the sentence because of his undertaking about his future behaviour. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of explosive substances (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Brennan was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with four years suspended and Kirwan was sentenced to six years with four years suspended.
Defendant
Charges: the possession of explosive substances, including six complete casings for a plate-type pipe-bomb, a Parva welder, a grinder and grinder blades, welding masks, lengths of steel and other materials at Mr Brennan's home on February 28th, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Brennan was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with four years suspended and Kirwan was sentenced to six years with four years suspended. The judge said that the court sentenced Kirwan to six years imprisonment but suspended the final four years of the sentence.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Rosconnell Avenue
- Newbridge
- Kildare
- Ballybrittas
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
Topics
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