James Brennan and Joseph Kirwan jailed over pipe-bomb factory

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

James Brennan and Joseph Kirwan were jailed by the Special Criminal Court for possession of explosive substances, including completed pipe-bomb casings and manufacturing equipment. They pleaded guilty. The proceedings were reported on 18 December 2013.

The court heard that gardai found Kirwan welding items in a shed at Brennan's home on February 28, while other casings and bomb-making components were found on the property. The report said the casings did not contain fuses or explosive filler.

Brennan received seven years' imprisonment with four years suspended. Kirwan received six years with four years suspended and undertook not to take part in future criminal activity; Brennan said he had become involved through stupidity and naivety and was dissociating himself from republican and criminal activity.