Two men charged with having 150kg of explosives

Two men appearing at an out-of-hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court yesterday evening have been charged with possession of 150kg of explosives. The men were also charged with IRA membership.

John Brock, aged 43, and John Roche, aged 52, were arrested yesterday afternoon by members of the Special Detective Unit as part of ongoing investigations into dissident republican activity.

Mr Brock, with an address at Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and Mr Roche, with an address at Bridgefoot St, Dublin 8, were both charged with possession of 57kg of homemade explosives, consisting of ammonium nitrate fuel mix, and 38 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Rd, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016.

Both men were also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on the same date.

Neither man made any reply when cautioned.

Mr Justice Paul Butler remanded both men in custody until next Thursday, when bail applications are expected to be made.