Firearms accused refused bail
A Creggan man accused of possessing articles for use in terrorism has been refused bail at Derry Magistrate’s Court.
William Martin McDonnell, of Rinmore Drive, faces three charges relating to the search of a house in Creggan on July 12.
The 26-year-old is charged with possessing an adapted blank firing Glock handgun with intent to endanger life and possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances.
He is further charged with possessing articles for use in terrorism. They include a Glock handgun, camouflage paramilitary style uniforms, a balaclava, a mobile phone, a two-way radio, a de-activated AK47 rifle, four replica AK47 weapons, a blank firing revolver and a blank firing glock handgun.
The court heard allegations that the items were found when police searched his home in Rinmore Drive and the 26-year-old was arrrested During police interview, the 26-year-old read out a prepared statement in which he admitted all the items belonged to him.
The court heard McDonnell claimed he collected clothing and “dummy guns” but said they had not been used for illegal activity at any stage.
Applying for bail defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said there had been a delay in the case and there was “no sign of a preliminary inquiry”.
He said the 26-year-old has “no criminal record whatsoever” and all his ties, including his children, are in the city.
Mr MacDermott added his client will have spent six or seven months on remand by the time he is returned for trial and urged the court to grant McDonnell bail “subject to stringent conditions”.
Refusing bail, District Judge Alan White said the delay was not “inordinate given the serious nature of the charges”.
McDonnell was remanded in custody and will appear in court again via videolink on January 3.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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