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Drug addict was paid €20 to put pipe bomb under prison officer's car

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark O'Shea, 32, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for possessing a pipe bomb that he had placed under a prison officer's car. The officer's eight‑year‑old son discovered the device, which could not explode because it lacked a fuse. CCTV at the officer's home identified O'Shea placing the bomb the night before. O'Shea had been approached by two men offering €20 and tablets to do the job. He pleaded guilty, claiming he was "preyed upon" and unaware the house belonged to a prison officer. The judge noted O'Shea's remorse and lack of knowledge about the bomb's fuse, but stressed the seriousness of the offence. The sentence was back‑dated to 14 June, when O'Shea entered custody. The bomb was safely disposed of by the disposal team after the house was cordoned off. The case highlighted the vulnerability of individuals with drug addictions who may be exploited for illicit activities.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drug addict was paid €20 to put pipe bomb under prison officer's car. Charges or matters: possessing the pipe bomb at an address in Dublin on June 11 this year. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 11 Incident
• June 14 Other
• 2017-11-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report