THREE Dublin men were charged with having 16 improvised mortar bombs containing semtex explosive in Co Laois when they appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin last night.
The three appeared amid tight security at the special sitting of the court.
The accused are Mr John Conaty (35), of Balbutcher Park, Ballymun, Dublin; Mr Gabriel Cleary (52), of Friarstown, Tallaght, Co Dublin and Mr Bryan McNally (54) with an address at Knocksinna Park, Fox rock, Co Dublin.
All three were charged with having 16 improvised mortar bombs containing semtex explosive at Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois, on June 20th, 1996, with intent to endanger life or enable another person to do so.
They were also charged with having the mortar bombs for an unlawful objective.
All three stood impassively as the charges were read. Mr Conaty and Mr McNally were wearing identical marine blue tops with navy tracksuit bottoms.
Del Sgt Brian Sutton, attached to the Special Detective Unit, Harcourt Square, said he had arrested Mr Cleary at Lucan, Co Dublin, yesterday evening for possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life at Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois on June 20th, 1996.
Del Sgt Paul Moran, also from the Special Detective Unit, Harcourt Square, said he had arrested Mr Conaty yesterday at Santry, Co Dublin, on a similar charge.
The witness told Mr Michael Farrell, for Mr Conaty, that the accused was in custody when arrested. He said he had arrested Mr Conaty at 7.15 p.m. on June 20th, 1996, at Ballyfarrell Clonaslee.
Det Sgt John Gantley, also from the Special Detective Unit, said he had arrested Bryan McNally yesterday under the same charge as that against his co accused.
State Solicitor, Mr Brendan Counihan, said the DPP had directed that all three men be charged on two counts and asked that the charges be read out.
He asked that the three be remanded in custody to next Tuesday.
Mr Justice Johnson, presiding, consented to the remand and told the three men they must give 48 hours notice if applying for bail. Warrant issued in heroin case
A bench warrant has been issued by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for Mr Luigi Felloni, who failed to appear yesterday to answer a charge of heroin dealing. Judge Cyril Kelly ordered his arrest when Garda Danny Rice said the accused man had been seen around the area in recent days and ha been warned by him of the listing of his case.
Mr Felloni (23), of Dominic Street, Dublin, is charged with possessing six grammes of heroin for sale or supply at his home on January 11th, 1996.
Mr Patrick Marrinan, defending, said his client had been granted bail.