Dissident probe suspect freed on bail

A Wexford man who was charged last Sunday as a result of garda investigations into dissident republican activity was freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court today.

Nicholas Kendall (aged 20), of Row St, Wexford is charged with the unlawful possession of a 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol and nine rounds of ammunition at Cortown, Togher, Dunleer, Co Louth on Friday.

He is also charged with the unlawful possession of a component part for a timing power unit used in an improvised explosive device at The Forge car park, Lower Main St., Dunleer on October 8.

Today the court freed Kendall on his own bond of €100 and an independent surety of €20,000. He was also ordered to sign on daily at Wexford Garda Station and to observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am.

He was also ordered not to apply for a passport, not to leave the jurisdiction and not to associate with anyone charged with or convicted of a scheduled offence.

He was remanded on bail until December 17. A second man, Peter Butterly (aged 33), of Cortown, Togher, Dunleer, Co Louth who was charged along with Kendall, was freed on bail by the court yesterday. He is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation on October 8.