A Dublin man has been sent forward for trial accused of making a false bomb threat call from prison to Government Buildings and the Oireachtas.
Michael Murray (53), with an address at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, faces prosecution for two offences under Section 12 (a) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976.
It is alleged that, on July 3rd and 4th, 2023, the accused knowingly made “a false report tending to give rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property”.
He denies the allegations and appeared before Judge Michael Connellan at Dublin District Court on Friday, where gardaí served him with a book of evidence.
Daniel Wiffen on the Olympic 10km swim: ‘I got hit in the head three times, somebody kicked me in the stomach, I think I pulled my groin halfway through’
‘The contrast between student life in Ireland and the US is striking’
Olympics day 14 live updates: Ireland qualify for women’s relay final, Rhasidat Adeleke aiming for 400m glory
Moronic marriage of loyalists and ‘Irish patriots’ revives Troubles-era nightmares
Det Joseph Heaphy said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed trial on indictment at a higher level with broader sentencing powers. Judge Connellan granted a return-for-trial order, sending Mr Murray forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case will be listed for mention in October.
Legal aid was granted.
Luke O’Higgins, barrister for the accused, said his client had instructed him that he had “nothing whatsoever to do with the offences before the court”.
At an earlier stage, the court heard that when charged, Mr Murray said: “I didn’t order any bomb attacks on Government buildings or the Oireachtas on those dates.”
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis