Man charged after bomb cache found

A man was charged at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday with having bomb-making equipment in Co Tipperary last Sunday…

A man was charged at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday with having bomb-making equipment in Co Tipperary last Sunday.

Mr Christopher Smith (38), of Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty Beg, Limerick, was charged with having two anti-armour drogue bombs containing Semtex, 17 improvised hand-grenade bodies, 11 improvised projectile grenades, and components for grenades and other bomb-making equipment at Townspark, Cahir, Co Tipperary.

Det Sgt John Long said he stopped a van driven by Mr Smith at a checkpoint in Cahir at 8.20 p.m. last Sunday. He found items he believed were explosives. He arrested Mr Smith and took him to Cahir Garda station.

Mr Martin Giblin SC, for Mr Smith, said he hoped to make a bail application soon. Mr Smith was remanded in custody to February 15th.