Man charged with making and possessing explosives

Noel John Logan, of Nelson Drive, faces a total of six charges which include making explosive devices with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property and possessing improvised explosive devices with intent.

The offences were allegedly committed between August 2017 and August 2019.

An investigating officer told a special sitting of Derry Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Dungannon, that he believed he could connect Logan to the charges.

Under cross-examination by defence solicitor Ciaran Shields, the officer confirmed that the charges relate to a spate of pipe bomb incidents in the Waterside.

He told the court that forensic evidence, namely mixed DNA profiles, link Logan to the devices.

The officer also confirmed that there is no fingerprint or fibre evidence linking the defendant at this stage.

However, the court heard allegations Logan is a ‘significant contributor’ to the DNA profiles analysed.

It is alleged that on two of the devices the chances of the 33-year-old not being a contributor to the profile has been assessed as one in one billion.

In relation to a third device, the chances of the defendant not being a contributor is allegedly one in 1.7 million.

Mr Shields told the court his client would not be making an application for bail at present as he is attempting to get an address outside Derry.

He said Logan has no criminal record and works full time in Coleraine.

The 33-year-old was remanded in custody, where he will go into isolation for two weeks due to Covid regulations within the prison.

The bail application was adjourned until December 21 and will proceed in the defendant’s absence.