Louth men convicted on explosives charges

Two Co Louth men were convicted at the Special Criminal Court in Dubloin today of having a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in 2010.

Conan Murphy (aged 25), with an address at Plaster, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, Co Louth, was found guilty of the possession of explosive substances at Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant on May 22, 2010.

His co-accused Philip McKevitt (58) of Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant,was also found guilty of the same offence at his home on the same date.

The court heard evidence during the trial which started last November that gardaí had placed the address in Co Louth under surveillance as part of an operation focusing on the suspected movement and manufacture of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices by members of the IRA.

Gardaí told the 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 contended 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.

Convicting the two men today, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said that the court was "satisified beyond doubt" that they were aware of the materials found in the shed and therefore both men were guilty as charged.

The court remanded both men in custody until March 9 for sentencing.