A VERDICT is expected today in the trial on explosive charges of a former member of Republican Sinn Fein's ard chomhairle.
Evidence in the trial at the Special Criminal Court of Mr Michael Hegarty (43), a native of Co Clare with an address at Knockmore Grove, Tallaght, Co Dublin, concluded yesterday.
Mr Hegarty is accused of the unlawful possession of an explosive substance with intent to endanger life at Longfield, Etra, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, on November 10th, 1995.
The court has heard gardai found a massive vanbomb and other explosives in adjacent out houses in the Longfield area on that date. Gardai told the court Mr Hegarty was arrested at gunpoint close to the find.
Mr Hegarty sacked his legal team shortly before his trial began on Tuesday and has refused to recognise the court.
When the evidence concluded yesterday, Mr Justice Johnson asked Mr Hegarty whether he wished to make a statement or call evidence.
Mr Hegarty said: "I'd like to say that Josephine Hayden is still being held in Limerick Prison under armed guard, a woman who has suffered a heart attack in the last 12 days." He made no further comment.
Republican Sinn Fein has claimed that Hayden, who was jailed for six years in 1996 for possession of a shotgun and a revolver, suffered a heart attack in Limerick Prison on May 30th. She was treated at Limerick Regional Hospital before being returned to prison.
Earlier yesterday, Dr Sheila Willis, a forensic scientist, told the court she had examined clothing from Mr Hegarty and a number of other items, including samples of a mix found in a white Hiace van and sheds at Longfield near Carrickmacross on November 10th, 1995. The mix contained ammonium nitrate, calcium carbonate and icing sugar and was an explosive substance under the Explosive Substances Act.
She had analysed Mr Hegarty's clothing, and brown granular material in a pocket of the sweat shirt contained ammonium nitrate, calcium carbonate and icing sugar.
A smear on the garment also contained ammonium nitrate.
Del Garda John Clancy said he saw Mr Hegarty on November 11th, 1995 as the accused was on his way to the Special Criminal Court. He told him that a substance on his clothing had been found to be an explosive and cautioned him. Mr Hegarty said nothing in reply.