Gardai were not involved in the recent BBC Panorama programme on the Omagh bombing, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin was told yesterday.
Det Insp Hugh Coll told the court that gardai had not helped reporter John Ware in planning the programme. He agreed with defence counsel Mr Michael O'Higgins SC that the programme contained information on telephone traffic which could only have come from the RUC or the Garda. He also agreed that gardai could be "ruled out" of providing that information.
Det Insp Coll, who is based at Monaghan Garda station, told Mr O'Higgins that a number of recent arrests had been planned a number of weeks ago and did not result from the programme.
He was giving evidence during a bail application by a Dundalk man who is charged with explosives offences. The court freed Sean O'Donogh on bail of a £10,000 independent surety and his own bond of £300.
O'Donogh (25), an unemployed father of one, of Finnabar Crescent, Dundalk, is charged with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at his home on October 21st last.
Det Insp Coll, who opposed bail, said that gardai found four booster tubes similar to those used in mortars during searches at O'Donogh's home. They also found two rounds of ammunition, a balaclava and an expired temporary security pass for Dublin Airport. A cassette-type incendiary device was found in the back seat of a car outside the house. Documents in the car boot related to Garda radio frequencies. O'Donogh's fingerprints were on these documents.
Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan said that while there was strong evidence against O'Donogh, it was not overwhelming, and the court did not accept that there was a probability that he would not turn up for his trial. The judge remanded him on bail until January 15th next.