A MAN charged with having 30 kg of Semtex on a Co Laois farm last month was refused bail when he appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday.
Det Supt Basil Walsh said that during a search of an outhouse on the farm, gardai found 16 mortar bombs each containing 312 grammes of Semtex, a large quantity of bomb making equipment and 36 timing units, one of which was fully assembled.
In a bunker they also found 30 kg of Semtex, detonators, detonating cord, 44 launch tubes for Mark 10 mortars, a large quantity of mortar bomb bodies, mortar arming and propulsion units.
The superintendent opposed bail for Mr Michael Cully (46), a farmer of Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois. Mr Cully is charged with having 30 kg of Semtex with intent to endanger life on June 20th and with unlawful possession of the explosive.
Three other men from Dublin are in custody on charges connected with the find.
Det Supt Walsh said Mr Cully lived on the 20 acre farm with his mother, his aunt and her husband. He accepted responsibility for the items found by gardai and later said he had built the bunker four or five years ago.
He said he believed Mr Cully would not turn up for his trial if given bail because of the seriousness of the charges, the nature of the evidence and because he had been caught "red handed".
Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, said the court accepted Det Supt Walsh's evidence that Mr Cully would not turn up for his trial and he remanded him in custody until July 30th.