Caller said mortars set at Dublin Castle during Queen's visit, trial hears

A man from County Longford is on trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin accused of making false bomb threats during a state visit in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, has pleaded not guilty to four charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976 of knowingly making false reports tending to show that offences had been committed. He faces separate allegations of making false threats concerning explosives at Busáras and a political party headquarters on 16 May, at Dublin Castle on 18 May, and at Cork Airport on 20 May. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011. During proceedings, a garda told the court that a caller to Longford Garda Station claimed membership of the "Republican Brotherhood, Squad A" and stated mortars were positioned at Dublin Castle. A detective inspector outlined the investigation, which involved surveillance and resulted in an arrest at a Longford supermarket car park. The trial is ongoing.