Man accused of making pipe bombs to remain behind bars

Published 5 hours ago
Source: 9news.com.au
Man accused of making pipe bombs to remain behind bars

A man accused of stealing items to make explosive pipe bombs that were found in Canberra will remain behind bars after police raided his home.

Damien Paul O'Brien was arrested and charged with four offences on Sunday after police discovered almost a dozen small, silver pipe bombs on a one-kilometre stretch of footpath in suburban Belconnen last week.

The 41-year-old entered ACT Magistrates Court on crutches for the first mention of his matter on Monday, with no application for bail made.

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The bombs have been found on the side of the road in Belconnen.

Eleven detonated pipe bombs were found around Lake Ginninderra between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive in Belconnen last week.

Police will allege O'Brien stole $127 worth of galvanised pipes and bought 22 cap ends from Bunnings in Belconnen to create the explosives.

His Belconnen home was raided on Saturday, where police allegedly found several items, which they say are consistent with the assembly of pipe bombs.

O'Brien was arrested in Gungahlin about 10.30pm on Saturday.

He has not yet entered pleas to manufacturing a prohibited dangerous substance, possession of a prohibited weapon, failing to appear while on bail, and theft.

Further charges are expected to be laid as investigations continue, according to police.

"Police do not believe the incident to be terrorism-related," a police statement read.

Magistrate Ian Bloomfield adjourned the matter to February 10.

O'Brien remains behind bars on remand.

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