A Co Laois man accused of having a major bomb factory at his farm last year was freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court yesterday after the court heard his elderly mother and aunt are living alone. Mr Michael Cully (47), of Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois is charged with having 30 kg of Semtex explosive with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so at his farm on June 20th last year and with unlawful possession of the Semtex .
Det Supt Basil Walsh opposed bail and said gardai found explosives, firearms and bomb-making equipment in an outhouse at Cully's farm.
A further search revealed a bunker beneath the farmhouse where gardai found 30 kg of Semtex, guns and hand grenades. Mr Cully, who lived at the farm with his mother, uncle and aunt took responsibility for the items.
Det Supt Walsh said Mr Cully's uncle is terminally ill in hospital and his elderly mother and aunt are living at the farm alone.
Mr Cully said in evidence that he had returned from England where he worked as a nurse in the mid-1980s to look after his mother.
She was now approaching 80 and his aunt was 76 and both women were in poor health.
Mr Justice Barr, presiding, said that Mr Cully had been in custody since June last year and could not expect a trial before next year.
He said this would be his last opportunity to live with and look after his aged mother and aunt.
The judge said it was in the interests of humanity that he should be given this opportunity and the court freed him on his own bail of £25,000 and two independent sureties of £10,000 each.
Mr Cully was also ordered to report once a week to Clonaslee Garda station and was remanded until October 7th.