Accused of attempted murder of police officer

A Lurgan man has appeared in court accused of attempting to murder a serving police officer in Eglinton, Co Londonderry.
Sean McVeigh.Sean McVeigh.
Sean McVeigh.

Sean McVeigh, of Victoria Street, Lurgan, is further charged with possession of Semtex with intent to endanger life on June 16, last year.

The charges are connected to a device placed under the police officer’s car in the Glenrandel of the village.

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At the time police said it was a ‘clear attempt’ to kill an officer.

McVeigh was arrested at the weekend.

The 35-year-old refused to stand when the charges were put to him and refused to confirm that he understood the charges.

An investigating officer told Derry Magistrates Court she believed she could connect McVeigh to the charges.

However, defence solicitor Peter Corrigan said there is an ‘issue’ with the connection.

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He claimed the Public Prosecution Service are ‘missing an essential ingredient’ in relation to the connection.

The solicitor told the court the basis of the evidence against McVeigh is that low level explosives were ‘detected in clothing taken from him when he was arrested in the Republic of Ireland’.

Mr Corrigan said the prosecution have not ‘adduced any expert evidence’ in relation to this.

The solcitor said the case was missing a further ‘essential ingredient’ in respect of CCTV footage.

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He told the court the prosecution ‘are relying on CCTV evidence in respect of a vehicle’ but there is no ‘physical evidence of that vehicle being at the scene in Eglinton’.

Mr Corrigan claimed there is no forensic evidence or DNA evidence against McVeigh.

The solicitor said there would be no application for bail at this stage because the defence require disclosure from the PPS to make a ‘proper informed application’ in the case.

McVeigh was remanded in custody to appear in court again via videolink on May 16.

District Judge Barney McElholm asked the PPS to make full disclosure prior to the next appearance.