Lurgan man has explosives charge dropped

Former Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan McConville, 41, was due to have gone on trial accused of having explosives with intent to endanger life and under suspicious circumstances.

However, a prosecuting QC told Belfast Crown Court on Monday no evidence was being offered against him.

Earlier this year McConville was jailed for at least 25 years for Constable Carroll’s murder.

The 48-year-old police officer was shot dead in Craigavon in March 2009.

No details to the background of the explosives case were given in court but the indictment alleged that McConville had explosive substances namely firework fuse, filler plugs, firework composition, pieces of shotgun cartridges, plastic conduit assemblies, springs and pegs.

The offences had been alleged to have taken place on dates between 11 October 2006 and October 11 2007.