Uncle and nephew charged with explosive offences following Louth anti-terror operation

The two men were each charged under Section Four of the Explosive Substances Act 1883

The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called in to conduct an examination on Friday morning following a garda operation in Louth. Pic: Dan Linehan

An uncle and nephew have been charged with explosive offences following a Garda operation in Co Louth last Thursday and Friday.

The suspects appeared before a late-night sitting of Dundalk District Court on Saturday.

James McCormack, aged 58, of South Commons, Carlingford, Louth, and nephew Cillian McCormack, aged 24, originally from Co Louth but with an address at Church Hill, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, were brought before the court.

They were each charged under Section Four of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.

This offence relates to the making or possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances.

The same charge was made against both defendants, that on 22 October at South Commons, in the townland of Grange Irish, Carlingford, Co Louth, they knowingly had under their control an explosive substance, specifically military and commercial detonators and 333 grams of Semtex high explosives under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that they did not have it in their possession for a lawful object.

Members of the Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU) – the organisation’s counter-terrorism squad – brought the defendants from a nearby garda station to Dundalk courthouse shortly after 9pm last night.

The two men were arrested after the SDU last Thursday, assisted by sister units in the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service, uncovered a location in Co Louth on Thursday night.

The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called in to conduct an examination on Friday morning.

The two men were detained under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. They were questioned by the SDU at a station in the north-east area.

Following the results of the EOD examination and periods of questioning, directions were given to charge the two men.

Dundalk District Court heard details from the SDU of arrest, charge and caution.

Contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883, as amended by Section 15(4) of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998.

The two men were remanded in custody and ordered to appear before Dundalk District Court again next Wednesday.