FOUR men charged in connection with the discovery of a bomb factory in Co Laois last month were remanded in custody for three weeks when they appeared amid tight security at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday.
Mr Michael Cully (46), of Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois, is charged with having 30 kilogrammes of Semtex explosive with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so at Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, on June 20th and with unlawful possession of the Semtex. The three Dublin men charged in connection with the arms find 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.
The three men are charged with having 16 improvised mortar bombs containing Semtex explosive at Ballyfarrell, with intent to endanger life or enable another person to do so and with unlawful possession of the mortar bombs.
Assistant State Solicitor, Mr Brendan Counihan, applied for a remand in custody until July 30th. He said the investigation into the offences was still "ongoing" and he had not yet received the Garda file. Mr Counihan said it was highly un likely that the book of evidence would be ready on July 30th.
The court remanded all four men in custody until July 30th.