Arson, explosives in feud over mast

A ROW over the site of a telecom mast led to bitter protests, an arson attack, the planting of an explosive device and the arrest of three people, a court has heard.

The Ardara module of the Morris Tribunal centred on the aftermath of the start of work on a cable mast in Donegal village.

Some residents, including the Diver and Shevlin families, who lived adjacent, were opposed to the project and claimed radiation from the mast was a danger to health.

Protest pickets, the glueing of gates, and the laying of nails to sabotage garda cars took place in October and November 1996.

This was followed by an arson attack about the time a High Court injunction was taken out against named individuals, then the discovery of an explosive device attached to cables in the compound.

It is claimed that the events were either an acceleration of the protest or were carried out to discredit protestors. The finding of the explosive device allowed gardaí to obtain warrants and make arrests under the Offences Against the State Act, which allowed greater powers of detention.

Three suspects were arrested, Anthony and Hugh Diver, and their brother-in-law, Bernard Shevlin. They claim they were framed and named gardaí were involved. No charges were brought.

Tom Gildea TD claimed an explosive device was attached to the rear of Glenties Garda Station. The source, Mr Gildea said, was a retired guard.

The Carty probe heard evidence that Sergeant John White had attempted to light some of the explosive material near the station and this could have led to confusion.