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Special Criminal Court to deliver judgement next month in explosives trial
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court case, 55‑year‑old Samuel Devlin of Dublin pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of PETN, an explosive substance, allegedly found in a laptop bag at a Finnstown House Hotel room he booked under a false name. The prosecution presented forensic evidence linking Devlin's fingerprints and DNA to the laptop and to a detonating cord marked 'explosives'. They also cited a National Surveillance Unit officer who claimed to have seen Devlin near the hotel and a bin containing detonating cord and gloves. Devlin's counsel argued that the prosecution had not proven his knowledge or control of the substance, noting the absence of DNA on the cord and questioning the reliability of the surveillance testimony. The court remanded Devlin in custody until the judgment, scheduled for March 1, will be delivered.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Special Criminal Court to deliver judgement next month in explosives trial. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of the explosive substance (PETN) at the same address on May 11, 2014. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 1st Incident
- May 11, 2014 Incident
- March 31st, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 10th Hearing Or Sentence
- May 9th Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-02-18 Publication
Why: "In order to establish possession, one must establish knowledge and control," Mr Condon said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the unlawful possession of the explosive substance (PETN) at the same address on May 11, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Referring to the explosive substance, Mr Condon said: "The prosecution has failed to establish he had complete physical control over it, that he knew of its existence at all, also that he knew of its qualities." Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding with Judge Alison Lindsay and Judge William Hamill, remanded Mr Devlin in custody until March 1st, when judgement on the case will be delivered.
Places mentioned
Topics
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