Traces of high explosive were found on a trailer abandoned by alleged IRA members in wasteland shortly before they planted the Canary Wharf lorry bomb, an Old Bailey court heard yesterday. The explosive was used in detonator cord, according to Mr John Bevan QC, prosecuting.
He alleged IRA bombers chose wasteland in Barking, east London, for their final preparations for the blast which claimed two lives. "One would pick a convenient place near the final destination to perform the important task of linking the time and power unit (timing device) to the explosive," said Mr Bevan.
In court, Mr Patrick McKinley (34), from Newry, Co Down, and Mr James McArdle (29), from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, deny conspiring to cause an explosion between October 30th, 1995, and February 10th, 1996. Mr McArdle also denies murdering Mr Inam Bashir and Mr John Jeffries on February 9th, 1996.
The trial continues today.