Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 4749Possession of explosive substances · Co. Louth · 22 Oct 2026

HGV driver refused bail over Semtex possession in Carlingford

On 22 October 2026, James McCormack, a 58-year-old HGV driver, and his nephew Cillian McCormack, 24, were arrested by the Garda counter-terrorism unit at a hide site in a wooded area at South Commons, Grange Irish, Carlingford, Co Louth, during an operation targeting the New IRA. Gardaí recovered a barrel containing 333.8 grams of Semtex, three detonators, four electrical junction boxes, and a soldering iron. Both men were charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 with knowingly having under their control an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances. They appeared before Dundalk District Court on 26 and 28 October, where they were remanded in custody. On 4 November, Judge Nicola Andrews refused bail to James McCormack, and Cillian McCormack's bail application was adjourned to 18 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged26 Oct
  4. In court28 Oct
    6 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The charge relates to 333.8 grams of Semtex high explosives, three military and commercial detonators, four electrical junction boxes, and a handheld soldering iron recovered from a barrel at a hide site.
  • James McCormack is a 58-year-old HGV driver of South Commons, Carlingford, Co Louth, and Cillian McCormack is his 24-year-old nephew with an address at Church Hill, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow.
  • On 22 October, two vehicles driven by the two men entered a carpark at Grange Cemetery, and later gardaí observed torchlight moving to a hide site in a dense wooded area where both men were found, with James crouched down.
  • Cillian McCormack was observed on 12 October parking a blue Ford Focus at a barrier in South Commons and later retrieved a mobile phone from another vehicle.
Where
The alleged offence took place at South Commons, in the townland of Grange Irish, Carlingford, Co Louth.
When
The alleged offence occurred on 22 October 2026.
Weapon
The explosives included 333.8 grams of Semtex and military and commercial detonators.
Investigation
The two men were arrested by the Special Detective Unit, assisted by the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service, in an operation targeting the activities of the New IRA, and the Defence Forces' EOD team examined the location.
Charges
Both men were charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 with knowingly having under their control an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances.
In court
The men appeared before Dundalk District Court on 26 October at a special sitting before Judge Stephanie Coggans, on 28 October before Judge Nicola Andrews, and on 4 November for a contested bail hearing.
Sentence
Judge Nicola Andrews refused bail to James McCormack on 4 November, remanding him in custody, and Cillian McCormack's bail application was adjourned to 18 November 2026.
Other details
James McCormack denied membership of an unlawful organisation during questioning at Drogheda and Ballymun Garda Stations.
83 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe charge relates to military and commercial detonators and 333 grams of Semtex high explosives (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack is a 58-year-old HGV driver (rte.ie)
  • whatOn 22 October, two vehicles driven by James McCormack and his co-accused entered the same carpark at Grange Cemetery (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí observed torchlight moving up hill to a hide site and the two men were there (rte.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack was observed crouched down at the hide site in a dense wooded area (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí recovered 333.8g of Semtex, a handheld soldering iron, three detonators and four electric junction boxes (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí recovered three mobile phones from James McCormack's vehicle, one belonging to him and two belonging to the co-accused (rte.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack was a married man and had been working as a HGV driver for the last 12 years (rte.ie)
  • whatThe barrel contained three detonators, four electrical junction boxes, 333.8 grams of Semtex explosives and one handheld soldering iron. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCillian took a shovel and a small blue barrel from the boot of his car, put gloves on, and an hour and four minutes later returned without the barrel. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOn the same date, Cillian entered a car park and retrieved a mobile phone from another vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed the two men made their way to the trail and the barrier. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatLater that evening, gardai observed a torch light moving to the hide-site and two males were at the hide-site in a dense wooded area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack was observed crouched down at the hide-out when the two men were stopped by gardai. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack is a 58-year-old lorry driver arrested with his nephew in a Garda operation targeting the alleged activities of the New IRA. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA VW Passat entered the car park at a pub in the Grange area on the evening of 22 October. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatFootage showed James McCormack making his way to the wooded trail where the hide was identified. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatTorchlight was seen moving up the hill towards the hide site. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA barrel was recovered containing three detonators, four electrical junction boxes, a soldering iron and 333.8 grams of Semtex. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack denied membership of an unlawful organisation during questioning at Drogheda and Ballymun Garda Stations. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatHe has worked as a HGV driver for a firm in the Cooley Peninsula for the last 12 years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatJames McCormack's passport had expired and he is described as a domestic driver who does not leave the jurisdiction for work. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offence took place at South Commons in Carlingford, Co Louth. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe offence is alleged to have occurred at South Commons, in the townland of Grange Irish, Carlingford, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe has an address at South Commons, Carlingford, Co Louth (rte.ie)
  • whereThe two men made their way in a car to a rural woodland trail under the control of Coillte at South Commons in the Cooley area (rte.ie)
  • whereThe hide-site was at South Commons, in the townland of Grange Irish, Carlingford, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereJames McCormack lives with his wife at Mucklagh Lodge, Carlingford. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence occurred on 22 October 2026. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offence is alleged to have occurred on 22 October. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenCillian McCormack was observed on Monday, October 12 parking a blue Ford Focus in South Commons at a barrier leading to a rural woodland under the control of Coillte on the Cooley Peninsula. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenJames McCormack was arrested at 9.05pm on October 22 under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State for membership of the IRA. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe explosives involved included 333 grams of Semtex high explosives and military and commercial detonators. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe two men were arrested by the Garda counter terrorism unit in an operation in north Louth (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe two men were arrested after the Special Detective Unit, assisted by sister units in the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service, uncovered a location in Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examined the location on the Friday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were carrying out an investigation into the activities of the New IRA (rte.ie)
  • investigationCCTV was available from the location on 22 October (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe Special Detective Unit, assisted by sister units in the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service, uncovered the hide-site. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationAn investigation was carried out into the activities of the New IRA and the seizure of explosives. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeEach was charged with knowingly having in their control an explosive substance at South Commons, Grange Irish, on 22 October (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe circumstances gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that they did not have the substance for a lawful act (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeBoth men are charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe men are accused of knowingly having under their control an explosive substance, including 333 grams of Semtex, and military and commercial detonators. (rte.ie)
  • chargeBoth men were each charged under Section Four of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with possession of explosives at South Commons, Grange Irish in Carlingford on 22 October, including 333 grams of Semtex and military and commercial detonators (rte.ie)
  • chargeBoth men were charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 for knowingly having under their control an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is solely charged with possession of explosives. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThey were brought before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court on Saturday night (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Stephanie Coggans remanded both men in custody to appear before Dundalk District Court on Wednesday (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe men were brought before a special sitting of the District Court on the Saturday evening after the charges. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe men appeared before Dundalk District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtJames McCormack's defence counsel sought an adjournment of one week. (rte.ie)
  • courtJames McCormack was remanded in custody to appear by video link the following week. (rte.ie)
  • courtCillian McCormack was remanded in custody to appear by video link the following week. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe men were brought before Dundalk District Court on Wednesday, following a first court appearance on the previous Saturday evening. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe pair were remanded in custody to appear again on 28 October. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJames McCormack's bail application will not go ahead on 28 October but will be made next Wednesday, 4 November. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews remanded both men in custody to appear via video link for their bail applications next week. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe men were initially remanded in custody at a special sitting of the court on Saturday. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe men were further remanded in custody. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Dundalk District Court (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews was satisfied the evidence against the accused appears to be strong (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrews refused bail and remanded him in custody (rte.ie)
  • courtHe is due to appear before the court by video-link again next week (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews refused bail to James McCormack, noting the evidence appears strong and he was caught red-handed in proximity of the hide-site. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJames McCormack was remanded in custody to appear before the court again next week via videolink. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtCillian McCormack's bail application was adjourned until Wednesday, November 18. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe SDU witness objected to bail on grounds of interference with witnesses and the investigation and considered him a flight risk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtTwo independent sureties of €25,000 each were put forward for James McCormack. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews said she was satisfied the evidence against the accused appears to be strong and he was effectively caught red handed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtBail was refused and James McCormack was remanded in custody for a week to appear before Dundalk District Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtCillian McCormack appeared by videolink and was further remanded in custody for another two weeks. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtCillian McCormack said he wanted solicitor Ciaran Mulholland to represent him. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 18 November 2026 because the prosecuting garda would be on duty at EU Presidency events. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThere was no application for legal aid. (rte.ie)
  • otherCillian McCormack said he had no legal advice and did not wish to make a bail application until he received it. (rte.ie)
  • otherJames McCormack is of South Commons, Carlingford, Co. Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherCillian McCormack has an address at Church Hill, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherJames McCormack is a full-time HGV driver. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherJames McCormack's passport has expired. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTwo people were willing to act as sureties offering a total of €50,000 as a cash bond. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Garda Technical Bureau and army examined the items in the blue barrel at the hide-site. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Nov2026
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Man (58) accused of explosives offence seen crouching near 'hide site' in north Louth

    Details of the contested bail application at Dundalk District Court, including CCTV evidence of McCormack at the hide site, the contents of the recovered barrel, the SDU witness's objection to bail, and the court's decision to refuse bail and remand both accused. Case adjourned to 18 November 2026.

    suspect, James McCormack, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormacksuspect, Cillian McCormack, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cillian McCormack
  2. 4 Nov2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    HGV driver 'caught red-handed' beside barrel with Semtex is refused bail

    Detailed account of the contested bail hearing at Dundalk District Court on 28 October 2026, including evidence from Detective Garda Fiona Morrison on the investigation into New IRA activities, the observation of Cillian McCormack on 12 October, the arrest on 22 October, and Judge Nicola Andrews' reasoning for refusing bail to James McCormack.

    suspect, James McCormack, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormacksuspect, Cillian McCormack, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cillian McCormack
  3. 4 Nov2026
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Lorry driver charged with possessing Semtex refused bail

    Details of the contested bail hearing at Dundalk District Court, including prosecution evidence about the hide site discovery, the defence bail application, and Judge Nicola Andrews' decision to refuse bail and remand McCormack in custody.

    suspect, James McCormack, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormacksuspect, male
  4. 28 Oct2026
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Men charged with Louth explosive offences further remanded in custody

    Adds the men's ages (58 and 24), their addresses, and that they were initially remanded in custody at a special court sitting on Saturday before the further remand.

    accused, James McCormack, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormackaccused, Cillian McCormack, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cillian McCormack
  5. 28 Oct2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Pair charged with explosive offences to make bail applications next week

    Adds the defendants' ages and addresses, the specific items seized (military and commercial detonators and 333 grams of Semtex), the arrest and Defence Forces EOD examination, that James McCormack's bail application was deferred to 4 November, and that Cillian McCormack said he had no legal advice because solicitors were on strike.

    accused, James McCormack, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormackaccused, Cillian McCormack, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cillian McCormack
  6. 28 Oct2026
    In courtrte.ie, its first report
    Men charged with explosives offences further remanded

    Reports the first court appearances after the charge and the further remand of both men in custody. Adds the charge details, the court and the bail position.

    accused, James McCormack, 57, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormackaccused, Cillian McCormack, 24, named, irish (judged from name)Cillian McCormack
  7. 26 Oct2026
    Chargeddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Two men charged with explosive offence following Louth anti-terror operation

    Reports the formal charging at a special sitting of Dundalk District Court, the specific charge wording, the arresting unit (Garda counter terrorism unit), and remand by Judge Stephanie Coggans to appear on Wednesday.

    suspect, James McCormack, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McCormacksuspect, Cillian McCormack, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cillian McCormack

Changed after publication

facts outlets added, removed or corrected

irishmirror.ie, 29 Oct 2026, 08:53: Pair charged with explosive offences to make bail applications next week

  • AddedThe pair charged with explosive offences are identified as being from County Louth.

rte.ie, 28 Oct 2026, 17:48: Men charged with explosives offences further remanded

  • AddedA man is now named as Cillian McCormack, aged 24, of Church Hill in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, who appeared before Dundalk District Court.