Landlord denies aiding IRA

Bombing cache trial of John Boyle
17 June 1986
The Times
Stewart Tendler

A Glasgow publican provided a base for a Provisional IRA unit planning a bombing campaign last year and hid their explosives cache as police searched for the material, it was claimed at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.



When Mr John Boyle was arrested by police after the unit was uncovered he said nothing about the cache for three days, Mr Roy Amlot, for the prosecution, said. After it was discovered he allegedly told police: 'It was in one of my rooms and I would have got done for it'.

Mr Boyle, who told the police he was afraid of the IRA unit, moved nearly 140lb of explosives, 35 timing units, some of them already running, and weapons and documents. The court was told that he had said it took him 25 minutes to move the cache in plastic bags and hold-alls from a top floor room he let to the unit down to a cellar.

Mr Boyle, aged 25, denies three charges of helping four members of the IRA unit, being in possession of explosives and being an accessory. The members of the unit were named as Patrick Magee, Gerard McDonnell, Martina Anderson and Ella O'Dwyer.

Mr Boyle is accused of helping the four between January and June last year by assisting with provision of premises and storage of material for causing explosions.

He is charged with possessing explosives between June 21 and June 26 with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property or enable another person to do so. He is also charged as an accessory by hiding material in the cellar.

Mr Amlot told the court that five people were arrested in the flat in Langside Road, Glasgow, on June 22 last year.

Mr Boyle, who lived in James Grey Street, less than a mile from Langside Road, was arrested on June 25. He at first said he knew nothing of the IRA unit, then he told police that a room in the house had been taken by Magee and O'Dwyer, who called themselves Tom and Anne Smith.

He went on to tell police he had been asked to let the room in February by a man who said his cousin was coming over from Ireland. The two were later joined by a man called Pat McDonnell and another girl, who was Anderson.

Mr Amlot said Mr Boyle had said nothing about the cache. 'He did so at a time when it was obvious to most people in this country that police were looking desperately for these bombs. It was certainly obvious to him. '

The cache was found by police in a cellar at James Grey Street on June 28. It was found by chance when police noticed wood piled up against the cellar door. Mr Amlot said Mr Boyle was not part of the IRA unit, but it was alleged he gave support and assistance while they were in Glasgow to make preparations for their campaign. The case continues today.