Court Cases

Patrick O'Hanlon, a colliery brushing contractor, of Thankerton Ave, Holytown, Lanarkshire, appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Tuesday, on an explosives charge, for which, it was pointed out, the maximum fine was 6d. He admitted he had in his house 4oz of explosive substance, one cartridge of gelignite, and one of sampsonite, without having a certificate, whereby he was liable for a fine of 2s. for every pound of explosive kept. He also admitted a breach of the peace. It was stated that in a public house O'Hanlon stated he was "a de Valera man", and had as much explosive in the house as would blow up the whole of Scotland. He was going to start at Edinburgh Castle and blow it up, the tackle Glasgow. The police decided to search his house, and the explosives were found. Sheriff Gillies imposed a fine of £1, with the alternative of 10 days imprisonment, in respect of the charge of breach of the peace, and admonished O'Hanlon on the explosive charge. [The Times 23 March 1939]