Two were held after garda operation, court hears
Two men were arrested after gardaí discovered a bomb-making operation near the border in Co Louth last year, the Special Criminal Court was told today.
The court heard that the two men were arrested after a major garda operation in north Co Louth against dissident republicans, involving the Emergency Response Unit and the National Surveillance Unit.
Paul Kelly (aged 40), of Cedarwood Park, Dundalk, Co Louth and Eamonn Matthews (aged 25), of Dublin Road, Killeen, Newry, Co Down both pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on June 13, 2003.
Last week Matthews was cleared of having explosives with intent to endanger life in Co Louth on June 13, 2003.
Today prosecuting counsel Mr George Birmingham SC said that gardaí found two men, not the two accused, making home made explosives at a farm shed at Thornfield in Co Louth.
They also found traces of home made explosives at another farm several miles away at Tallanstown where they found a grinder with traces of explosives.
He said that Matthews was seen the previous day driving a jeep and going to a local firm where he rented a cement mixer.
Chief Superintendent Michael Finnegan, who is in charge of the Louth/Meath division, told the court that he believed that Kelly and Matthews were members of an unlawful organisation on June 13, 2003.
He claimed privilege when questioned by defence counsel Ms Aileen Donnelly SC, for Kelly , and Mr Blaise O' Carroll SC, for Matthews about the sources of his information.
The Chief Superintendent said that disclosing the sources of his information could put the lives of his informants in danger and could damage ongoing garda operations.
The trial continues tomorrow.
