Twin brothers who manufactured bomb components for the ‘Real IRA’ today pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of explosive substances.
Kenneth Patterson, a former Irish soldier, and Alan Patterson, both of Griffith Parade, Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of explosive substances in Dublin and at, or near, McEntee Avenue, Dundalk, on June 9th this year.
Alan Patterson pleaded guilty to additional charges of unlawful possession of three-quarters of kilo of Semtex, an air pistol and a quantity of ammunition at Marmion Court, Dublin, on the same date.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard that the 31-year-old brothers had been running "workshops for the development" of bomb components on behalf of the ‘Real IRA’.
These consisted of home-made timing units for bombs and improvised incendiary devices, ballistics expert Detective Sergeant Brendan McArdle told the court. Det McArdle said it was sufficient either for two under car booby trap bombs or as a booster for a larger bomb.
The twins and a third person not before the court were arrested during a police surveillance operation as they left Dundalk railway station on June 9th.
The court heard that Kenneth Patterson, a separated father of three, served in the Army from 1990 until August 2000, where he had a "favourable" Army record. At the time of his arrest he worked at a plastics mouldings plant.
Alan Patterson, a separated father of two, was working as a warehouseman in Dublin when he was arrested.
He had made statements in custody admitting responsibility for the material found at Marmion Court and Dundalk.
The court heard that Kenneth Patterson made statements accepting responsibility for items found at Griffith Parade and Dundalk. Neither accused has previous convictions.
They were remanded in custody until sentencing next Tuesday.