Bomb trial accused released on bail

One of the five men charged last week with possession of explosive materials in Dublin has been released on bail at the Special Criminal Court today.

Cormac Fitzpatrick (aged 22), Cathedral Walk, Monaghan, Co Monaghan, is charged with the unlawful possession of explosive materials, contrary to the Offences against the State Act, at The Crescent, at an apartment Park West, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on Tuesday, September 9 last.

Also charged are Garret Pigott (aged 25) Philipsburgh Terrace, Dublin 3, Gareth Byrne (aged 26) Park Crescent, Kimmage, Dublin 12, Jonathan Keogh (aged 23), Upper Sean McDermott Street, Dublin and Terry McConnell (aged 27), Tullymore Gardens, Andersontown, Belfast.

All five men are accused of being in possession of items including four black-coated steel piping 32 cm in length, 3.8cm in diameter and screw threaded at both ends, eight metal end caps, bulbs, batteries, wiring, travel alarm clocks, 620 grams of propellant powder, and 10 cm long nails.

Gareth Byrne, Garret Pigott, and Jonathan Keogh are further charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish National Liberation Army otherwise known as the INLA, within the state on September 9 last, contrary to the Offences against the State Act.

Fitzpatrick was released today on his own bond of €100 and an independent surety of €20,000.

While on bail, he must obey a curfew between 11pm and 7am, sign on daily at Monaghan garda station between 9am and 9pm, not leave the jurisdiction, not associate with anyone convicted or charged with a scheduled offence and not associate with any of his co-accused except for legal consultation.

He must also provide a mobile phone number to gardaí, leave the phone on at all times and that must be the sole phone to be used while on bail.

Fitzpatrick was remanded on bail until October 7.

It was also indicated in court today that there will be a bail application for another of the accused, Terry McConnell on October 1. He was remanded in custody until that date.

The other three accused were remanded in custody until October 7.