Damien Paul O’Brien, 41, was arrested by police on the weekend. Photo: ACT Policing.
The man accused of making 15 detonated and undetonated pipe bombs found strewn through part of Belconnen has faced court for the first time.
Fifteen pipe bombs were found in the vicinity of Lake Ginninderra between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive last week, leading to police issuing warnings to the community about the explosives.
During the investigation, police identified a man as a person of interest, then raided his home and arrested him on the weekend.
Their search allegedly uncovered several items that could be linked with the assembly of pipe bombs.
The man, 41-year-old Damien Paul O’Brien of Belconnen, was seen using crutches to walk into the ACT Magistrate Court on Monday (19 January).
The court heard he was accused of stealing 11 galvanised pipes and 22 galvanised end caps from Bunnings earlier this month before manufacturing 15 pipe bombs.
Earlier, police said they would allege he acted alone when creating the pipe bombs, then leaving them around the community, but their investigation was ongoing and further charges could be laid.
On Monday, Mr O’Brien was formally charged with the unauthorised manufacture of a prohibited dangerous substance, possessing a prohibited weapon and theft.
He did not apply for bail, did not enter pleas and Magistrate Ian Temby remanded him in custody before adjourning the matter to 10 February.
Police have repeatedly said they do not believe this incident to be related to terrorism.
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