A DUBLIN MAN has appeared at the Special Criminal Court charged with possession of over a kilogram of explosives.

Patrick Brennan (52) was arrested on Thursday morning as part of an ongoing operation targeting dissident republican activity.

Mr Brennan, with an address at Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was charged with knowingly possessing an explosive substance – four 400 gram blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators – at Store Street on 16 June.

Detective Garda Graham Dunne, of the Special Detective Unit, told State Solicitor Michael O’Donovan that he arrested and cautioned Mr Brennan, to which the accused man made no reply.

Detective Garda Dunne said that he informed Mr Brennan he was to be brought before the next sitting of the Special Criminal Court and detained him at Irishtown garda station.

He transported Mr Brennan to the Special Criminal Court this afternoon, the court heard, and showed him the charge sheet.

Again, Mr Brennan made no reply, Dunne said.

During the brief hearing, Mr Brennan sat in a light blue, striped T-shirt, with his arms folded. When asked by the court’s registrar to stand up, he remained seated, and spoke only to confirm his identity.

Asked if he was Patrick Brennan, he replied, “Yeah”.

Mr Conway said that the State was seeking to remand Mr Brennan in custody until next Friday.

This was on consent, he said, adding that a bail application will be made on that day.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Mr Brennan in custody until next Friday, 24 June.

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