A Co Clare man charged with possessing explosives has been freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
Desmond Brennan (64), of Clonroad, Ennis, was one of nine men arrested by gardaí last week after an investigation in to the activities of dissident republicans in counties Wexford, Waterford and Clare.
He appeared before a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court last Saturday charged with having explosive substances, namely mercury, nitric acid and ethanol, at his home on September 22nd, 2011.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge Alison Lindsay and Judge Cormac Dunne, said the court would approve an independent surety of €20,000 and release Mr Brennan on bail.
State Solicitor Michael O’Donovan told the court that the State had no objection to bail provided a number of strict conditions were adhered to. He said these included the provisions that Mr Brennan reside at his home address and that he observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am.
Mr Donovan said Mr Brennan must sign on each day at Ennis Garda station between 9am and 9pm, must surrender his passport and must undertake not to apply for any new travel documentation or leave the Republic of Ireland.
He said Mr Brennan had to agree not to contact any proposed prosecution witnesses in the case and not to associate with his co-accused or anyone convicted of a scheduled offence.
Mr Brennan is to be of good behaviour and keep the peace and is also to provide a mobile phone number to gardai and ensure that this number is contactable at all times.