FIVE men were further remanded until next month at the Special Criminal Court yesterday on charges connected with the discovery of a major bomb factory in Co Laois last June.
Three Dublin men are charged with having 16 improvised mortar bombs containing Semtex explosive at Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois on June 20th last with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so and with unlawful possession of the mortar bombs.
They are Mr John Conaty (35), of Balbutcher Park, Ballymun; Mr Gabriel Cleary (52), of Friarstown, Tallaght and Mr Bryan McNally (54), with an address at Knocksinna Park, Foxrock.
Mr Michael Cully (46), 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 Ballyfarrell on June. 20th and with unlawful possession of the Semtex.
Mr Thomas Conroy (75), a farmer, of Ballyfarrell, Clonaslee, Co Laois, is also charged with possession of mortars, Semtex explosives, mortar components, a semiautomatic pistol and a large amount of bomb making equipment with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so at his farm on June 20th last.
Mr Conroy was remanded on continuing bail of £15,000 and the other four men were remanded in custody until December 10th.
Mr Erwan Mill Arden SC said: Mr Cully had obtained leave in the High Court for a habeas corpus inquiry and also leave to seek a judicial review over the circumstances of his release and rearrest earlier this month.
He said the High Court has put a stay on proceedings pending the outcome of the judicial review and habeas corpus applications.
The court was also told Mr Conaty, Mr McNally and Mr Cleary have applied to the High Court for habeas corpus inquiries into their detention.