Louth man charged with possession of explosives and ammunition

A 20-year-old Louth man appeared before the Special Criminal Court this afternoon (Mon) charged with having explosive substances and ammunition.

Gerard Carroll of Ashling Park, Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk in Co Louth was charged with the unlawful possession of explosive substances, namely a “modified 24-volt battery-operated hand tool” on July 9 last at Junction 17 of the M1 motorway in Dundalk.

He was also charged with the unlawful possession of eight rounds of .357 magnum ammunition found in follow-up searches at an address in Ashling Park, Dundalk on July 10.

Mr Carroll was one of five men arrested by armed gardaí on Friday night during an operation the Louth area.

The three judge non-jury court, of Mr Justice Nicolas Kearns presiding, heard details of arrest, charge and caution.

A member of the Special Detective Unit told Michael O’Donovan, solicitor for the State, that the young man made no reply when he was charged with both offences at Drogheda Garda Station in Louth last night.

A solicitor representing Mr Carroll said no application for bail was being made by his client at this stage.

The Special Criminal Court remanded the 20-year-old in custody to appear before the court again on Tuesday next.