A Co Donegal detective lit or tried to light some powder from an explosive device found on a TV mast, a retired superintendent said yesterday.
Denis Cullinane said Det Sgt John White had tried to ignite some powder. He was being cross-examined on his evidence concerning a new module on the circumstances surrounding the device's discovery on a mast in Ardara, west Donegal, on November 19th, 1996.
The module is not due to begin until next week at the earliest. Mr Cullinane's evidence was taken out of sequence as he is unable to attend the tribunal in the next few weeks.
The 8ft mast was on the side of a mountain on a Telecom Éireann site. Sometime in the 1990s, a licence was required by Cable Management Ltd from the then Department of Communications so that it could transmit signals in southwestern Donegal via masts.
Local people protested because they believed there were enough masts and adequate transmission.
There were certain incidents such as glue being squirted into locks and intimidation of personnel trying to access the site. On November 7th, 1996, however, the situation escalated when there was an arson attack on the site which caused £50,000 worth of damage to equipment.
Mr Cullinane said that on November 19th, he heard that a suspicious object had been tied to the power cable. He went out with other gardaí and saw a packet tied on the cable about 7ft-8ft high. He said it was a very sinister development.
"I was really afraid that something was going to happen, that someone would be seriously injured and I was anxious to have searches carried out for further explosives," he said.
After forensic examination, the device was brought back to Glenties Garda station. Mr Cullinane said Det Sgt White had tried to ignite some of the powder.
"It is now my belief that Det Sgt White had lit or attempted to light this powder by way of a test," he said.
John Whelan SC, for Det Sgt White, cross-examining, said his client had no recollection of doing that but said he spoke to Mr Cullinane of his experience in Dublin of seeing youngsters pouring out fireworks powder and lighting it.
The chairman, Mr Justice Frederick Morris, asked if Det Sgt White had told him at some stage he had tried to light the powder that he had taken from the bomb that was on the mast.
Mr Cullinane said he thought that was what Det Sgt White had said.
The tribunal resumes on Monday and returns to witnesses from the continuing "silver bullet" module.