'Trial within a trial' continues at Special Criminal Court

The trial of two Louth men accused of possessing explosive substances has heard further evidence on legal matters.

Conan Murphy (aged 25), with an address at Plaster, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, Co Louth, has pleaded not guilty to the possession of explosive substances at Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant on May 22, 2010.

His co-accused Philip McKevitt (aged 58) of Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant, has also pleaded not guilty to the same offence at his home on the same date.

Gardaí told the Special Criminal Court that they raided Philip McKevitt’s home and discovered an “adaptive” trailer constructed for the purposes of concealing two gas containers which had been modified to cause an explosion.

The prosecution contend that the arrest of the men in close proximity to the material uncovered together with surveillance evidence and evidence gleaned during their detention will show the two were in possession of explosive substances.

The non-jury court is hearing evidence in a “trial within a trial”, as the defence have challenged the legality of the search and entry of Philip McKevitt’s home by gardaí.

The trial continues in front of presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler.