Explosives accused refused bail

Joseph Hugh Allen, of Broadway, is charged with possession of, or having under his control, a pipe bomb type improvised explosive device and a tub containing small arms propellant with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.

The offence allegedly occurred between September 1 and September 14 last year.

An investigating officer told Londonderry Magistrates Court she believed she could connect the 29-year-old to the charge.

The court heard that Allen was one of seven people arrested after police searched a number of properties last September. These searches were carried out in the wake of two bomb attacks in Claudy, one at the home of a forensic medical officer and one at the home of a serving police officer.

The court heard that one of the searches was carried out at the home of Allen’s sister, where police allegedly discovered a locked tool box, hidden within a large rug in a shed.

It was claimed that in the tool box officers found a tub containing compound fertiliser, a tub containing small arms propellant and a pipe bomb type improvised explosive device.

The court heard these items were sent for forensic testing and officers have received fingerprint evidence allegedly linking Allen to some of them.