Courts / Dublin / Report
Neighbours were evacuated after pipe bomb find during drugs search, court hears
Summary
During a drug search at Ross Whelan's Ballymun home, Gardaí found a pipe bomb under floorboards and over €2,000 worth of heroin in a bedside locker. Whelan, 23, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of an explosive substance on 16 July 2014. He had 14 prior convictions, including theft, handling stolen property, drug possession, public order offences and an 18‑month assault sentence. Judge Martin Nolan accepted Whelan's claim that he kept the bomb for personal protection, describing it as an unusual protective measure, and noted the significant heroin amount. The court sentenced Whelan to four years' imprisonment. Garda Liam Mangan explained the bomb was a pipe packed with explosive powder, lacking a detonator but confirmed explosive by forensic testing. Whelan admitted owning 13.3 grams of heroin, claimed the bomb had been buried and dug up two weeks before the search, and apologized to Gardaí, neighbours and family for the disruption.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Neighbours were evacuated after pipe bomb find during drugs search, court hears. Charges or matters: possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of an explosive substance on July 16, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 16, 2014 Incident
- 2015-05-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of an explosive substance on July 16, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan said Whelan had "some insights and some intelligence" before he jailed him for four years.
Places mentioned
- Woodhazel Terrace
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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