Wexford man charged with possessing firearms and explosives

A 21-year-old Wexford man has appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with 11 counts of unlawful possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition.

Nicholas Kendall, of Springcrest, Keelogues, Barntown in Co Wexford, was brought before a special sitting of the three-judge court this morning where Detective Garda Eileen Keogh gave evidence of caution and charge.

She said Kendall made no reply to the charges.

Kendall, wearing a white t-shirt, stood in court as the 11 charges were then read out to him.

These included nine charges of unlawful possession of explosives, including TIme Power Unit, a partially constructed improvised detonator and shotgun cartridge propellant powder, on October 8, 2010 at Springcrest.

He was also charged with unlawful possession of firearms at the same place and on the same date The court heard these were "improvised firing mechanisms in various stages of production."

Kendall was charged with unlawful possession of 195 rounds of ammunition on the same date at Springcrest.

Mr Justice Paul Butler presiding at the court, remanded Kendall in custody until the end of the month when the matter will be heard again.