The trial of a Dublin electrician accused of having explosives and weapons in Swords two years ago was adjourned until next year at the Special Criminal Court yesterday after the court was told that a key prosecution witness was ill in hospital.
Mr Padraig Steenson (35), a single man, of Leinster Avenue, North Strand, is charged with the unlawful possession and control of 22 1/2 kg of Semtex, 14 incendiary devices, eight time and power units and 13 detonators at Glassmore Park, Swords, Co Dublin, on November 7th last year.
He is also charged with the unlawful possession and control of a pistol, a machine pistol, an imitation revolver and 208 rounds of ammunition on the same date.
Mr Paul McDermott SC, prosecuting, applied for an adjournment after telling the court that an essential prosecution witness, Mr John Galvin (70), was admitted to Beaumont Hospital last week.
He said the main plank of the prosecution case against Mr Steenson was a statement by Mr Galvin implicating him in the possession of the explosives and weapons which were found at Mr Galvin's home in Swords.
Dr M.F. Osman, a registrar at Beaumont Hospital , said Mr Galvin had lung and heart problems and had difficulty breathing. Mr Galvin had been waiting for two years for heart surgery.
The doctor said he was unable to say when Mr Galvin would be fit to give evidence. Mr Steen son's counsel, Mr Diarmaid MacGuinness SC, opposed the request for an adjournment and said that Mr Galvin had made his statement after he had received a 10-year suspended sentence in 1998 for possession of the explosives.
Mr MacGuinness said the trial had been listed for hearing five times and the State had been willing to proceed against Mr Steenson in 1998 without Mr Galvin's statement.
Mr Justice Johnson said the court would remand Mr Steenson on continuing bail until January 25th next. He said the State should then be in a position to say when Mr Galvin would be able to give evidence.