Man arrested in Kerr probe in custody
An Omagh man arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in April last year has been remanded back into custody after denying charges linked to an alleged major dissident republican arms dump.
On Friday Gavin Coyle, from Culmore Road, in the Co Tyrone town, also denied being, or professing to be a member of the IRA between April 2010 and April the following year.
While his case will be reviewed next month at Belfast Crown Court, the 33-year-old’s trial has been scheduled for February next year.
In all Coyle pleaded not guilty to nine separate terrorist related charges, including IRA membership, possessing arms and explosives with intent and under suspicious circumstances, and involvement in or helping in the preparation of acts of terrorism.
Among the materials found were Semtex, rocket propellant, eight detonators, a quantity of improvised timers and power units, homemade grenade initiators, a quantity of improvised incendiary devices, four AK assault rifles, six loaded magazines and a quantity of ammunition.
Coyle also denied having articles likely to be of use to terrorists, namely three cars, a van and two mobile phones.
He was initially arrested in the wake of the murder of 25-year-old Constable Kerr, who died in a booby trap bombing as he prepared to drive to work on 2 April last year.
Although no details were given during the formal arraignment of the charges, when initially arrested Dungannon Magistrates’ Court heard that a footprint, allegedly from one of Coyle’s shoes was found near the arms dump.
The court heard that a footwear expert had linked a print found at the lock-up garages on the Mountjoy Road in Coalisland with one taken from Coyle’s home.
