Wednesday 28 October 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. 1862Possession of explosives (Section 30, Offences Against the State Act, 1939) · Co. Wexford · 11 Apr 2025

Man charged after suspect device found at Wexford residence

A suspect device was discovered at a residence at Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford town, at approximately 7pm on Friday 11 April 2025, and a man in his 30s, Sean Bergin, was arrested at the scene. The Army EOD team was called, made the device safe, and the cordon was lifted after over three hours, during which neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution. Bergin was charged with an offence under the Explosive and Substance Act, 1888, and appeared before Judge John Cheatle at a special sitting of Wexford District Court held in Waterford on Saturday 12 April 2025. He made no reply to the charge and was granted continuing bail with conditions. The matter was adjourned to Wexford District Court on 9 June 2025 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested12 Apr
  3. Charged11 Apr
    3 reports
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A suspect device was discovered at a residence at Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford town, and a man in his 30s was arrested at the scene.
Where
The device was found at Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford town, Co. Wexford.
When
The device was discovered at approximately 7pm on Friday 11 April 2025.
Investigation
A cordon was established, neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution, and the Army EOD team attended, examined the device, made it safe, and the cordon was lifted after over three hours.
Charges
Sean Bergin was arrested under Section 20 of the Offences Against the State Act and detained under Section 30 of the same Act, and was charged with an offence under the Explosive and Substance Act, 1888.
In court
  • He appeared before Judge John Cheatle at a special sitting of Wexford District Court held in Waterford on Saturday 12 April 2025 and made no reply when the charge was put to him.
  • He was granted continuing bail with conditions including signing on daily at Wexford Garda Station, observing a curfew, and supplying a telephone number.
  • The matter was adjourned to Wexford District Court on 9 June 2025 to allow time for directions from the DPP.
Other details
The accused is from Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford town.
38 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA suspect device was discovered at a residence in Wexford town. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 30s was arrested at the scene. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA suspicious device was discovered at a residence in Wexford town. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 30s appeared before a special court following the discovery of an explosive device in a housing estate in Wexford town. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatNeighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution during the operation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe operation lasted over three hours. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe device was found at Wolfe Tone Villas. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe man was taken to a Garda station in Co Wexford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe accused is from Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford town. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe device was found at approximately 7pm on Friday 11 April 2025. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe EOD unit was called to the scene around 7pm on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe device was discovered at approximately 7pm on Friday, 11 April 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe was arrested on Friday night. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenDet. Garda Mark Whitty went to Wolfe Tone Villas Housing Estate on Friday night around 7pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA cordon was established and the Army EOD team attended the scene. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe EOD team examined the device and made it safe, after which the cordon was lifted. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe EOD team examined the device and made it safe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe EOD team examined the device, made it safe, and the cordon was lifted. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHe was detained at Wexford Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended the scene and made the suspect device safe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe man has been charged. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe man was arrested under Section 20 of the Offences Against the State Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, and subsequently charged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with an offence under the Explosive and Substance Act, 1888. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe is due before a special sitting of Waterford District Court at 6pm on Saturday 12 April 2025. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe man was due before a special sitting of Waterford District Court at 6pm on Saturday, 12 April 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Judge John Cheatle at a special sitting of Wexford District Court held in Waterford on Saturday evening. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused made no reply when the charge was put to him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFrank Murphy, B.L., instructed by Timothy Cummings, Solicitor, made an application for bail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtProsecuting Sergeant Stephen Ennis said there was no objection to bail under certain conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail conditions included signing on daily at Wexford Garda Station, observing a curfew, and supplying a telephone number. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Wexford District Court on June 9 to allow time for directions from the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Cheatle remanded the accused on continuing bail to June 9. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNeighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe cordon surrounded the house for several hours before being lifted. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man can be held by gardai for up to three days. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Apr2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man charged following discovery of explosive device in housing estate

    First report of the charge. Details the discovery of the explosive device at Wolfe Tone Villas, the Army EOD response, the court appearance at a special sitting in Waterford, and the granting of continuing bail with conditions pending DPP directions.

    accused, Sean Bergin, 30s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Bergin
  2. 12 Apr2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man due in court after discovery of suspect device at Wexford residence

    First report of the suspect device discovery, EOD response, arrest and charging of a man in his 30s in Wexford town.

    suspect, 30s, male
  3. 12 Apr2025
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Suspicious device discovered in Wexford as gardai arrest man

    First report of the incident; man in his 30s arrested under Section 20 of the Offences Against the State Act, EOD team made the device safe, cordon lifted, investigations ongoing.

    suspect, 30s, male
  4. 11 Apr2025
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance: Discovery of suspect device, Wexford town, 11th April, 2025

    Official Garda press release confirming the charge and the court appearance date at Waterford District Court.

    suspect, 30s, male