A 42 year old Belfast man was charged with possession of 2.28 kg of Semtex explosives with intent to endanger life or property at a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Saturday.
Mr Gerard Michael Moyna, unemployed, of Ardmonagh Parade, Belfast, was charged with offences contrary to Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1883, as substituted by Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1976.
Garda Det Insp Thomas Farragher told the court that between 6 to 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10th, at College Avenue, Belfast, the defendant was unlawfully and maliciously in possession of 2.28 kg of Semtex explosives, a timing unit, a battery and two detonators, with intent to endanger life, or cause serious injury to property or to enable another person to do so.
Having been arrested at Pearse Road, Sligo town, on May 17th, at 2.20 p.m., Mr Moyna replied to Det Insp Farragher: "I want to know why the emphasis is on an Irish citizen, and I am not guilty."
Judge Bernard Brennan granted the defendant legal representative Peter Brady, solicitor, under free legal aid, but refused to assign counsel, saying: "It is too early."
He would not fix bail, saying it was outside his ambit before remanding Mr Moyna to appear before the next sitting of Sligo District Court.