TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY OF ALLEGED BOMB MAKERS
Trial sets under way of alleged bomb makers
THE trial of two Co Louth men accused of possessing an improvised explosive device has opened in Dublin.
Conan Murphy (25). a son of Omagh bomb accused Colm Murphy, has pleaded not guilty to possession of explosive substances in Dundalk in May last year. Murphy, with an address at Plaster, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, is on trial with Philip McKevitt (58). of Aghaboys. Mount Pleasant, who has also denied the offence.
Opening the prosecution case, Paul Greene said the Special Criminal Court would hear that gardai raided Philip McKevitt's home and discovered an "adaptive" trailer constructed for the purposes of concealing two gas containers which in turn had been modified to cause an explosion.
He said gardai had placed the address under surveillance as part of an operation focusing on the suspected movement and manufacture of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices by
members of the IRA.
Mr Greene said gardai also uncovered 377 metres of green-camouflaged wire which the court would hear was intended to be used as a "command wire" from a firing pack.
He said that 26kg of glucose was found in the boot of a Vauxhall Vectra car and a Garda expert would testify that such material is used as a fuel additive in the manufacture of explosives. Mr Greene said the accused men were arrested at the scene and it was the prosecution's case that their arrest in such close proximity to the material uncovered, together with evidence gleaned from their arrest, indicated the two were in possession of explosive substances. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler. Colm Murphy, who had a conviction for involvement in the 1998 Omagh bomb overturned at retrial last year, has previously told The Irish News his son was not making a bomb but brewing poitin.
THE trial of two Co Louth men accused of possessing an improvised explosive device has opened in Dublin.
Conan Murphy (25). a son of Omagh bomb accused Colm Murphy, has pleaded not guilty to possession of explosive substances in Dundalk in May last year. Murphy, with an address at Plaster, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, is on trial with Philip McKevitt (58). of Aghaboys. Mount Pleasant, who has also denied the offence.
Opening the prosecution case, Paul Greene said the Special Criminal Court would hear that gardai raided Philip McKevitt's home and discovered an "adaptive" trailer constructed for the purposes of concealing two gas containers which in turn had been modified to cause an explosion.
He said gardai had placed the address under surveillance as part of an operation focusing on the suspected movement and manufacture of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices by
members of the IRA.
Mr Greene said gardai also uncovered 377 metres of green-camouflaged wire which the court would hear was intended to be used as a "command wire" from a firing pack.
He said that 26kg of glucose was found in the boot of a Vauxhall Vectra car and a Garda expert would testify that such material is used as a fuel additive in the manufacture of explosives. Mr Greene said the accused men were arrested at the scene and it was the prosecution's case that their arrest in such close proximity to the material uncovered, together with evidence gleaned from their arrest, indicated the two were in possession of explosive substances. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler. Colm Murphy, who had a conviction for involvement in the 1998 Omagh bomb overturned at retrial last year, has previously told The Irish News his son was not making a bomb but brewing poitin.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/1060
Published Date: 01-Dec-11
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