Larry Behan gets suspended sentence for IRA explosives offence

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

Larry Behan was sentenced to two years in prison, fully suspended, for an IRA explosives offence. The proceedings were reported on 29 April 2019.

Behan pleaded guilty to knowingly rendering assistance to the IRA in the possession of explosives. The offence took place at his father’s quarry in Rathcoole, Co Dublin, on 13 April 2016, when he opened its gates and allowed the explosives to be taken away.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said it was accepted that Behan had genuinely thought the explosives were no longer of use. The judge said Behan had been told before their removal that they were to be passed to a dissident organisation. Pressure was then put on him to keep to the arrangement, and Behan had told gardaí that he feared for himself and his family. The judge said the explosives would have been removed once the unlawful organisation knew of them, either way.

Mr Justice Hunt described the case as having exceptional and unfortunate circumstances. He cited Behan’s lack of previous convictions, immediate admissions, cooperation and guilty plea; the court also considered his work record and evidence he had given gardaí that was vital to the case against him.

Sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan, Mr Justice Hunt suspended the sentence for two years on Behan’s own bond of €100. Behan must keep the peace and be of good behaviour during that period.