TWELVE men facing a range of serious charges were remanded until March at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday pending the outcome of High Court proceedings.
These proceedings follow the decision by Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, to order the release and rearrest of a number of prisoners after confusion over the delisting of Judge Dominic Lynch from the Special Criminal Court last November.
A number of the prisoners have taken habeas corpus actions which have yet to be dealt with by the High Court.
Yesterday the court remanded the 12 until March 4th pending the outcome of the High Court cases.
Mr Joseph Kavanagh (37), of Benbulben Road, Crumlin, Dublin was remanded in custody on seven charges connected with the kidnapping of the former National Irish Bank chief executive, Mr Jim Lacey in November, 1993.
Assistant State Solicitor Mr Patrick Geraghty said Mr Kavanagh has taken a habeas corpus application before the High Court.
Mr Adam Busby, a self styled leader of the Scottish National Liberation Army, was remanded in custody on charges including possession of incendiary devices addressed to British Labour Party leader Mr Tony Blair.
Mr Busby (48), a native of Paisley in Scotland with an address at Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin, is also charged with sending threatening messages to a number of Scottish newspapers and to the Press Association in Glasgow.
The court was told that although Mr Busby is not involved in the High Court proceedings, his trial has been adjourned pending the outcome of those proceedings.
Three men charged with offences arising from the murder of Det Garda Jerry McCabe were also remanded until March 4th.
Mr Michael O'Neill (45), of Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, Co Limerick, and Mr Jeremiah Sheehy (36), of Abbey Park, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, are each charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Adare, Co Limerick on June 7th last year, when Det Garda McCabe was shot dead.
Mr John Quinn (28), of Faha, Patrickswell, Co Limerick, is charged with unlawful possession of ammunition at Patrickswell on June 6th last year. All three are also charged with IRA membership.
The court heard that Mr Sheehy and Mr O'Neill have habeas corpus applications before the High Court.
Five men charged in connection the discovery of a major bomb factory in Co Laois were also remanded until March 4th.
Three of the men from Dublin are charged with having 16 improvised mortar bombs at Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois, on June 20th last year with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so.
They are Mr John Conaty (35), of Balbutcher Park, Ballymun, Mr Gabriel Cleary (52), of Friarstown, Tallaght, and Mr Bryan McNally (54), of Knocksinna Park, Foxrock.
Mr Michael Cully (46), of Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee is charged with having 30 kgs of Semtex explosive with intent to endanger life on June 20th last year.
An elderly farmer, Mr Thomas Conroy (76), of Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, is also charged with possession of mortars, explosives and a large amount of bomb making equipment with intent to endanger life at his farm on June 20th last year.
The court heard that Mr Conaty, Cleary, Mr McNally and Mr Cully - have taken habeas - corpus proceedings. They were remanded in custody and Mr Conroy was remanded on continuing bail until March 4th.
Brixton prison escaper Nessan Quinlivan (31), of Knockatisheen. Ave, Batlynanty Beg, Limerick, was remanded in custody until March 4th.
He is charged with falsely imprisoning Mr Michael Lyons at Greenhill Road, Garryowen, Limerick, on August 25th last year.
Mr John Ryan (30), of Downey Ave, Killalee, Limerick, who is charged with falsely imprisoning Mr Lyons at Killeely, Limerick on August 25th was remanded on continuing bail until March 4th.
The court was told that Quinlivan has taken habeas corpus proceedings.