Monaghan man charged with possessing explosives bailed

A 25-year-old Monaghan man charged with possessing explosives has been released on bail after his father lodged €20,000 in an independent surety.

Martin Connolly of Mullantimore, Tydavnet, Co Monaghan was charged with knowingly possessing a Novital Magnum Electric Cereal Mill and ammonium nitrate at his address between September 8 and 11 contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.

He was arrested in Monaghan on Monday evening and brought before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, where he was remanded in custody until today.

State solicitor Michael O’Donovan yesterday told the court that both sides had agreed a number of bail conditions.

Mr Connolly would sign on daily at Scotstown Garda Station in Co Monaghan and obey a curfew between 11pm and 5am. He would live at his Mullantimore address or at the home address in Scotstown.

Mr O’Donovan said the defendant had already surrendered his passport, would not apply for another one and would not leave the Republic of Ireland.

He would not associate with anyone convicted of or charged with a scheduled offence, would not contact any prosecution witness in his case and would keep his mobile phone on at all times.

The accused, dressed in a dark suit and purple tie, entered his own bond of €100, while his father, Hugh Connolly, provided an independent surety of €20,000.

Mr O’Donovan assured the court that Mr Connolly Snr, who was in court, understood the consequences, that he might lose this money.

Michael Bowman BL, defending Mr Connolly, said he was not in a position to apply for legal aid yet as his client had an unknown amount of savings in a credit union.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, Judge Alison Lindsay and Judge William Hamill remanded Mr Connolly on bail on those conditions until October 12.