Arms accused were 'on RIRA duty'

THREE men - two of them from Londonderry - charged with arms offences after a weapon was found in their car in Co Tyrone were on duty with the Real IRA, a court has heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Oct 2010, 16:47 BST
Updated 19th Oct 2010, 11:15 BST

Mark McGuigan, 26, Martin McLoone and Darryn Patrick McCallion, both 22, are charged with possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

They were arrested by police investigating dissident activity after their Ford Fiesta was stopped and searched near Cookstown on Monday night.

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A green holdall bag was found in the car, containing a revolver loaded with six live bullets. More ammunition was found rolled up in a sock.

McLoone, from Abercorn Road, Londonderry, Darryn Patrick McCallion, from Rathlin Drive, in Londonderry, and McGuigan, from Sperrin View in Omagh, appeared at Strabane Magistrates Court yesterday.

A detective told the court he believes the trio were on "operational duty" with the Real IRA.

He opposed bail, saying that, given the current security situation, they posed a serious risk to society and could re-offend.

A defence lawyer questioned whether the gun was a viable weapon.

Bail for McGuigan and McLoone was refused.

McCalllion has made another bail request. The three men were remanded in custody.