Patrick Brennan jailed for seven years at Dublin Special Criminal Court after being caught with huge explosives haul
A DISSIDENT republican terrorist who was caught with 1.6 kg of high grade explosives and three detonators on a bus bound for Derry has been jailed today for seven years.
Patrick Brennan, 53, of Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin in Dublin, was arrested on 16 June last year.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard he was intercepted by plain clothed officers from the Garda’s Special Detective Unit on board the bus.
Busáras in Dublin was evacuated during the incident.
RTÉ has reported that Brennan was caught sitting on a Bus Éireann bus to Derry with four 400 gramme blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators in a canvas bag on the seat beside him.
The court offered to suspend the final two years of Brennan’s sentence if he agreed not to associate with members of unlawful organisations.
The father-of-six, who is a dissident republican, refused and the full sentence was imposed.
Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce said the explosives could have made up to eight car bombs
Brennan has 13 previous convictions including one 12 years ago for IRA activity.