Dublin man pleads guilty to possession of improvised bomb

A 22-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty to the possession of an improvised bomb which was found in a car on the M50 Westlink toll bridge.

Martin O’Rourke of Sheepmore Grove Blanchardstown pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court today to knowingly possessing an explosive substance, namely an improvised explosive device at the Westlink Toll Plaza at Castleknock on December 8 last year.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the three-judge court heard from prosecuting counsel Mr Tom O'Connell SC that O’Rourke was currently serving a sentence on another matter.

He was jailed for two years on December 15 last at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for driving a stolen motorbike dangerously and at speed while being chased by gardaí in Lucan.

He had pleaded guilty to unlawful use of the motorbike, handling a stolen helmet and jacket worth €655, dangerous driving and failing to stop when directed to do so by gardaí on November 16, 2004.

He was remanded in continuing custody yesterday for sentence on July 11th next. A large number of his friends and family were in court for the brief hearing. Following his arrest last year Detective Garda Brian Cagney of the Special Detective Unit gave evidence of arresting O’Rourke at Clondalkin garda station.