Man appears in court charged in connection with Semtex and weapons find in West Belfast
The weapons were found when the PSNI raided a property in the Ballymurphy area on Friday as part of an investigation into dissident republican activity
A 45-year-old man has been remanded in custody on firearms and explosives charges related to the discovery of a major weapons haul.
Kevin Nolan, who was arrested in Sunderland at the weekend, appeared before a district judge charged in connection with the seizure of over half a kilogram of Semtex explosives, two handguns, more than 200 rounds of ammunition and two detonators.
The weapons were found when the PSNI raided a property in the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast on Friday as part of an investigation into dissident republican activity.
Nolan, with an address at Whitchurch Close, Sunderland, clenched his fist above his head and waved to a number of supporters in the public gallery as he was led from the dock after the brief hearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
During proceedings, the unshaven and balding defendant spoke only to confirm he understood the charges.
He faces counts of possessing explosives and firearms in suspicious circumstances and possession of explosives and firearms with intent to endanger life.
A police officer told judge Peter King he could connect the accused to the charges.
Defence solicitor Padraig O Muirigh made no application for bail.
“There is no application at this time but that will be kept under review,” he said.
Nolan was remanded in custody for four weeks to appear again before the same court, via video-link from prison, on October 20.
