Cookstown arms accused ‘on RIRA duty’
Three men charged with arms offences after a weapon was found in their car in Co Tyrone were on duty with the Real IRA, a court has heard.
Mark McGuigan, 26, Martin McClune and Darryn Patrick McCallion, both 22, are charged with possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
They were arrested by police investigating dissident activity after their Ford Fiesta was stopped and searched near Cookstown on Monday night.
A green holdall bag was found in the car, containing a revolver loaded with six live bullets. More ammunition was found rolled up in a sock.
McGuigan from Sperrin View in Omagh, McClune from Abercorn Road, Derry, and Darryn Patrick McCallion from Rathlin Drive, Derry, appeared at Strabane Magistrates Court on Thursday.
A detective told the court he believes the trio were on “operational duty” with the Real IRA.
He opposed bail, saying that, given the current security situation, they posed a serious risk to society and could re-offend.
A defence lawyer questioned whether the gun was a viable weapon.
None of the accused made any comment during police interviews. However McGuigan denied membership of any organisation and any knowledge of the firearm.
McMcloone and McGuigan were denied bail.
McCallion will make a bail application later this month.
All three men were remanded in custody.
A fourth man, who was also in the car when the arrests were made, is still being questioned by police.
