A Dundalk man arrested as part of a Garda investigation into a large Continuity IRA bomb discovered near the Border was freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court yesterday.
Det Insp Jim Sheridan, Dundalk, told the court that Mr Paul Kelly was arrested on suspicion of possession of explosives at Tallanstown, Co Louth, the day before gardaí discovered 500kg of home-made explosives at a farmyard at Iniskeen, Co Louth.
Opposing bail, Insp Sheridan said he believed that if granted bail, Mr Kelly would continue his activities as a member of the Continuity IRA.
Mr Kelly (39), of Cedarwood Park, Dundalk, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on June 13th.
Insp Sheridan said that four other men have already been charged in connection with the same incident. He said that three men were arrested while making a bomb at Iniskeen and a fourth man was arrested later the same day.
He said there would be evidence that Mr Kelly went to a house where two of the other four men already charged were seen the evening before gardaí found 500kg of home-made explosives at the farmyard at Iniskeen.
The court freed Mr Kelly on his own bond of €10,000 and an independent surety of €30,000. The court also ordered him to sign on daily at Dundalk Garda station and to observe a curfew to stay indoors between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. The court also ordered Mr Kelly not to associate with any of the four men already charged with the same offence or with anyone convicted or charged with a scheduled offence.
Mr Kelly was remanded on bail until July 22nd next.