A Limerick man charged with explosives offences linked to dissident republicans was refused bail at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday.
Supt Mary Fitzgerald told the court Mr Christopher Smith had been found to have explosive substances in a stolen van. He had tried to run away after gardai intercepted the van. She believed Mr Smith would not turn up for trial if given bail.
Supt Fitzgerald said Comdt Peter Daly, who destroyed the explosives, said they could have destroyed an armoured vehicle and caused death or serious injury.
Mr Smith, a 39-year-old father of two, of Ballynanty Beg, Limerick, is charged with having two anti-armour drogue bombs containing Semtex, 17 improvised hand grenade bodies, 11 improvised projected grenades and other bomb making equipment at Townpark, Cahir, Co Tipperary, on January 23rd. Gardai have linked the explosives find to dissident republicans.
Supt Fitzgerald, of Cahir, the address given by Mr Smith at Ballynanty Beg was his sister's. Mr Smith had no fixed address and had an English driving licence with an address in Cricklewood in London.
Mr Smith had a flat there and was in the UK regularly, she said. He had an estranged common law wife in Co Limerick and they had two children.
Mr Justice Morris, presiding, said the court accepted Supt Fitzgerald's evidence that Mr Smith would not turn up for his trial if granted bail. He was remanded in custody to March 28th.