A Co Kildare man was caught driving a car containing almost 1,000lb of explosives as he was about to board a ferry at Dun Laoghaire, the Special Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Det Insp Eamonn O'Reilly opposed bail for Mr Laurence Patrick Keane, saying he did not believe he would turn up for trial. Mr Keane (41), of Cloney, Athy, was charged earlier this month with possession of 980lb of improvised explosive mixture, a time and power unit, an electric detonator and two improvised booster tubes with intent to endanger life at Dun Laoghaire port on April 2nd.
Yesterday Det Insp O'Reilly said Mr Keane had no ties with the Republic and had skipped bail on previous occasions. He lived in a caravan on his sister's land and had six children with three different partners.
Mr Keane, in evidence, said he had served a sentence in Portlaoise Prison, where he had been a trusty and had been given temporary release a number of times, which he had honoured.
Mr Justice Johnson, presiding, said the court accepted the Garda evidence that Mr Keane had breached bail on previous occasions. He was remanded in custody until June 10th.
