James and Cillian McCormack further remanded over Louth explosives charges
The two men were remanded in custody at Dundalk District Court. Neither applied for bail at Wednesday’s hearing; both are due back by video link next week.
James and Cillian McCormack were further remanded in custody at Dundalk District Court in Ireland on 28 October over charges concerning alleged possession of explosives in County Louth, RTÉ reported. Neither sought bail at Wednesday’s hearing, and both are due back before the court by video link next week.
The charges allege that the men knowingly had an explosive substance under their control at South Commons in Grange Irish, Carlingford, on 22 October. RTÉ reported that the alleged material included 333 grams of Semtex and military and commercial detonators. The allegation is before the court; the men have not been convicted.
Why neither man applied for bail on Wednesday
Eoghan Fagan, counsel for James McCormack, sought a one-week adjournment and told the court his client intended to apply for bail then, according to RTÉ. Ireland Live reported that two people had been put forward to gardaí as independent sureties. When Judge Nicola Andrews asked whether James was applying for bail at this hearing, Fagan replied, ‘Not at this stage,’ the outlet reported.
Cillian McCormack told the judge he did not want to apply for bail until he had proper legal advice. RTÉ reported that the judge said a prosecuting garda had told her Cillian had consulted a solicitor who was on strike. Ireland Live reported that the judge told him his solicitor was not working because of the ongoing industrial dispute.
Ireland Live reported that the prosecuting garda said Cillian had been served with the State’s bail objections. Those objections set out grounds on which the State would oppose bail if an application is contested; no bail ruling was made at Wednesday’s hearing.
The charges and next court appearance
Both men are charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883, which concerns making or possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances, RTÉ reported. James gave an address at South Commons in Carlingford, County Louth; Cillian, 24, gave an address at Church Hill in Dunlavin, County Wicklow. The reports differ on James’s age.
The men were first remanded at a special court sitting on Saturday, following the alleged 22 October offence. Judge Andrews remanded them in custody again on Wednesday. Ireland Live reported that they are due to appear by video link the following Wednesday, 4 November, when bail applications are expected.
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Sources and context
- Men charged with explosives offences further remandedRTÉ
- Men charged with Louth explosive offences further remanded in custodyIreland Live (byline: Court Reporter)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.