Two plead guilty to explosives offences

Two men arrested during a Special Branch investigation into the activities of dissident republicans pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court today to explosives and ammunition offences.

Francis Mc Geown (aged 64), of Cedarwood Park, Cox's Demesne, Dundalk and Pascal Burke (aged 42), of Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 admitted the unlawful possession of an explosive substance - 0.776 kilogrammes of black powder consisting of potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulphur - at Smithstown, Julianstown, Co Meath on January 21, 2005.

They also both pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of 100 rounds of ammunition on the same date.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Tom O' Connell SC told the court that charges against both men of membership of an unlawful organisation could be struck out.

A third man , Ciaran Dunne (aged 23), of Elmbrook Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty earlier this month to the same charges.

All three men were remanded for sentencing at a later date.