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Trio charged over UVF bomb attack Trio remanded over attack charges
(about 6 hours later)
Three men have been charged in connection with a pipe bomb attack on a house in Larne seven years ago. Three Belfast men have been remanded in custody charged in connection with a pipe bomb attack in Larne in 2003.
The men aged, 62, 40 and 32, all from Belfast, are also charged with membership of the UVF and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. They are Robert Warnock, 62, of New Barnsley Park, Raymond Burns, 32, of Ballyvessey Court and William Young, 40, of Silvio Street.
They are due to appear in court later on Wednesday. The men were arrested on Monday by the serious crime branch as part of Operation Ballast. They are charged with belonging to the UVF and conspiring to intimidate Crown witness Trevor Gowdy.
A 33-year-old man was also arrested on Wednesday morning. Belfast Magistrates Court heard the men were involved in attacking the family home of Mr Gowdy's then girlfriend.
Another man arrested at the same time as the three who have been charged has been released pending a report to the PPS. A detective confirmed the case against the three accused was based on witness statements supplied by Newtownabbey brothers David and Robert Stewart, who were jailed for three years last week for dozens of terrorist crimes after turning "supergrass".
Operation Ballast is an investigation into a series of murders and other crimes by the the UVF in north Belfast. Mr Young is also accused of conspiracy to cause an explosion, while Mr Burns faces further counts of possessing a pipe bomb and causing an explosion.
The PSNI took over the investigation from the Historical Enquiries Team at the end of last year. All three men were charged by detectives from the serious crime branch as part of Operation Ballast, an ongoing probe into UVF crime in north Belfast.
During the hearing a prosecution lawyer alleged the evidence against Mr Warnock is that he was "an extremely senior member of the UVF" at the time of the offences.
Distance
"He tried to interfere with friends and family of Mr Gowdy," he said.
"Mr Gowdy had been removed from the jurisdiction for his own protection and this was the only way they could interfere with Mr Gowdy to try and stop him giving evidence."
It was also disclosed that a beret with a badge carrying a UVF emblem and a tie with UVF badges on it were allegedly discovered during searches of Mr Warnock's home.
Mr Warnock's barrister criticised the evidence against his client, describing it as "toxic" and that Mr Warnock had "distanced himself" from the UVF many years ago and had been "instrumental" in the peace process.
Former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam sent him a letter acknowledging his contributions, according to the lawyer.
The detective confirmed there was no scientific or forensic evidence to connect Mr Burns to the alleged offences.
The court also heard Mr Young, who did not seek bail, went to Antrim police station voluntarily when he became aware detectives wanted to speak to him.
His lawyer said he repeatedly denied UVF membership and any involvement in the pipe bomb attack during questioning.
District Judge Fiona Bagnall refused to grant bail to Mr Warnock and Mr Burns.