Sunday 1 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

Two men further remanded over possession of explosive substances in Carlingford

James McCormack, a man, 58 (one report gives 57), of South Commons, Carlingford, Co Louth, and his nephew Cillian McCormack, a man, 24, of Church Hill, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, were arrested by the Garda counter terrorism unit after 333 grams of Semtex and military and commercial detonators were found at South Commons, Grange Irish, Carlingford, on 22 October 2026. Both men were charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 with knowingly having an explosive substance under their control. They were remanded in custody at a special sitting of Dundalk District Court on 25 October and further remanded on 28 October, with their bail applications deferred to 4 November.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The charge relates to 333 grams of Semtex high explosives and military and commercial detonators.
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.
Investigation
  • The two men were arrested by the Garda counter terrorism unit in an operation in north Louth, with the location uncovered by the Special Detective Unit assisted by sister units in the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service.
  • The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examined the location on Friday morning.
Charges
Both men were charged under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 with knowingly having an explosive substance under their control.
In court
  • They were brought before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court on Saturday 25 October, where Judge Stephanie Coggans remanded both in custody.
  • On Wednesday 28 October, Judge Nicola Andrews further remanded both men in custody to appear by video link for bail applications.
  • James McCormack's bail application was deferred to 4 November, and Cillian McCormack said he had no legal advice and did not wish to make a bail application until he received it.
Other details
  • James McCormack is of South Commons, Carlingford, Co Louth, and Cillian McCormack has an address at Church Hill, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow.
  • There was no application for legal aid.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe charge relates to military and commercial detonators and 333 grams of Semtex high explosives (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)
  • whenThe alleged offence occurred on 22 October 2026. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offence is alleged to have occurred on 22 October. (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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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.