Men charged with explosives offences further remanded

Updated / Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026 16:22

Two men charged with explosives offences in Co Louth last week have been further remanded in custody.

James McCormack, 57, with an address at South Commons in Carlingford, Co Louth, and 24-year-old Cillian McCormack of Church Hill in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, appeared before Dundalk District Court.

Both men are charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883, which relates to the making or possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances.

They are charged that on the 22 October 2026 at South Commons in Grange Irish, Carlingford, they knowingly had under their control an explosive substance, including 333 grams of Semtex, and military and commercial detonators.

They were brought before a special sitting of the District Court on Saturday evening, where they were remanded in custody until today.

Eoghan Fagan, defence counsel for James McCormack, told Judge Nicola Andrews that he was seeking an adjournment for one week.

The court was told it was James McCormack's intention to make an application for bail at that time.

There was no application for legal aid and Judge Andrews remanded the 57-year-old in custody to appear again by video link next week.

Addressing the court himself, Cillian McCormack told Judge Andrews that he had no legal advice and did not wish to make a bail application until he gets legal advice.

The judge said the prosecuting garda advised that Cillian McCormack had been consulting with a solicitor, but she is on strike.

Judge Andrews remanded Cillian McCormack in custody to appear again next week by video link.