Member of Defence Forces faces explosives charges

A member of the Defence Forces appeared in court last night on explosives charges.

Mark Cassidy was brought to a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court in Donegal amid tight security.

Cassidy, aged in his late 20s with an address at Grianan Vale, Ballyeder-owen, Burnfoot, faces two charges of possessing explosives at the same address on Monday, February 17. He is charged with having an explosive substance and also possessing 87 12-gauge shotgun cartridges.

Detective Garda Michael Carroll told the court he arrested him in Buncrana yesterday afternoon and put the two charges to Cassidy, but that the accused made no reply.

Inspector Michael Harrison said he was objecting to bail because of the seriousness of the offences and because Cassidy had no permanent address in the Republic.

Peter Nolan, for Cassidy, said he was not in a position to apply for bail at the moment. He said the defendant had rented accommodation but this was now a crime scene as it was where the alleged incident took place. He added that the defendant was also suffering from an illness.

Cassidy told the judge from the public gallery that he was a private. He was remanded in custody to next Monday.

A second soldier arrested in connection with an explosives find in Donegal on Tuesday has been released without charge. A file on the matter is to be sent to the DPP.