Two men charged with conspiracy to possess explosives, firearm

Two men are due to go on trial in connection with charges of conspiracy to possess an explosive substance, a firearm and ammunition.

The trial of Thomas Bates (51) of Abbey Street, Cahir, Co Tipperary and Nigel Gartland (34) from Knocklofty Heights, Clonmel, Co Tipperary was scheduled to get under way on Monday at Clonmel Circuit Court but a number of legal issues had to be resolved and it is now expected to start on Tuesday in front of a jury.

They are both facing a number of counts under Section 27A of the Firearms Act 1964 and the Criminal Justice Act of 2006. The two men are charged with conspiring to posses a firearm, an explosive substance and ammunition sometime between October 24th and November 10th, 2017, within the State.

They are also charged with the unlawful possession or control of rounds of .38 calibre ammunition at Abbey Street, Cahir, on November 10th, 2017.

Judge Thomas Teehan sent a jury panel home on Monday and said that he would empanel a new jury on Tuesday to hear the trial, which is expected to take up to two weeks to complete.

Both accused men were in court on Monday for the hearing but were not called upon to speak.