Colm Murphy's son charged in connection with Dundalk raid

A 23-year-old man appeared before the Special Criminal Court tonight, charged in connection with the discovery of explosive substances in Dundalk last weekend.

Conan Murphy, with an address at Plaster, Mount Pleasant in Dundalk, Co Louth, was charged with the unlawful possession of explosive substances, namely an improvised trailer and two gas cylinders “adapted” to cause an explosion, on May 22 last.

The young man is the son of Colm Murphy, who was acquitted earlier this year of a charge relating to the Omagh bombing.

The three-judge, non-jury court remanded Conan Murphy in custody to appear before it again next month.

A detective garda from the Special Detective Unit, told Mr Michael O’Donovan, a solicitor representing the State, that he arrested Mr Murphy at 5.20pm this evening, for the purposes of bringing him before a court to be charged.

The arresting garda told the court that Mr Murphy replied “I am innocent” when the charge was put to him.

In court tonight, Mr Murphy, who was represented by solicitor Michael Finucane, spoke only to confirm his name.

The Special Criminal Court, with Mr Justice Joseph Matthews presiding, remanded Conan Murphy in custody to appear before the court again on June 8.