Donal Billings pleads not guilty to false bomb reports

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Donal Billings has pleaded not guilty to five charges before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, as reported on 10 October 2016. The charges concern alleged false bomb and mortar reports during the 2011 State visit of the UK Queen, and alleged unlawful possession of an explosive substance.

The alleged reports concerned Busáras, Sinn Féin’s headquarters, Dublin Castle and Cork Airport. The court heard evidence that calls were made to Longford garda station, while an investigation later focused on Mr Billings, who was arrested in Longford on 20 May 2011.

The trial was continuing at the time of the report.