The pipe bombs were found in Belconnen in January 2026. Photo: ACT Policing.
The man alleged to be responsible for the 15 pipe bombs found in Belconnen earlier this year will fight accusations that he made the devices.
The pipe bombs were found near Lake Ginninderra, between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive, in January 2026 and resulted in police issuing warnings to the community.
Police soon raided the Belconnen home of 41-year-old Damien Paul O’Brien and originally alleged he acted alone when creating the pipe bombs before leaving them around the suburb.
The ACT Magistrates Court later heard he was accused of stealing 11 galvanised pipes and 22 galvanised end caps from Bunnings earlier in January before manufacturing the 15 pipe bombs.
He was remanded in custody when he first appeared in court, and was escorted back into the courtroom again on Tuesday (10 February).
His lawyer, James McGuire, said he would enter a not guilty plea to his main charge, which is the unauthorised manufacture of a prohibited dangerous substance.
But he said his client would not yet enter pleas to his other charges, being possession of a prohibited weapon and theft.
The prosecutor said her office was still waiting on a report by an expert on whether the pipe bombs had been detonated or were capable of being detonated.
She did not know when her office expected to receive the report, but said expert reports in general took at least six weeks to produce.
Mr O’Brien was remanded in custody, and the matter was adjourned to 24 March.
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