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Teenagers face south Armagh explosives charges | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two people have been in court charged over explosives found by police in south Armagh. | |
Appearing at Newry Magistrates Court were Keith McConnan, 19, and Orla O'Hanlon, 18, both of Tievecrom Road, Forkhill. | |
Both are accused of making and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life or property between 15 December and 18 December this year. | Both are accused of making and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life or property between 15 December and 18 December this year. |
No applications for bail were made and both were remanded in custody. | No applications for bail were made and both were remanded in custody. |
A detective constable told the court the pair were arrested at a house on Tievecrom Road on Wednesday, 18 December. | A detective constable told the court the pair were arrested at a house on Tievecrom Road on Wednesday, 18 December. |
He said that while Mr McConnan was being taken to Antrim police station, officers found a latex glove in his hip pocket. | |
"A search was carried out of the property and a box of latex gloves was also found,'' the detective said. | "A search was carried out of the property and a box of latex gloves was also found,'' the detective said. |
Timer power unit | Timer power unit |
He told the court that in a walk-in wardrobe in a bedroom officers found a timer power unit and items related to it. | He told the court that in a walk-in wardrobe in a bedroom officers found a timer power unit and items related to it. |
"This would enable a bomb to be placed which could delay the detonation for several days,'' the officer said. | "This would enable a bomb to be placed which could delay the detonation for several days,'' the officer said. |
The detective added that in a bin, a white substance was discovered that was forensically tested and found to be ammonium nitrate, which he said is used for home made explosives. | |
He said it appeared there had been an attempt at a clear-up operation as similar white powder was found in a vacuum cleaner in the hallway, although it had yet to be forensically tested. | He said it appeared there had been an attempt at a clear-up operation as similar white powder was found in a vacuum cleaner in the hallway, although it had yet to be forensically tested. |
Industrial coffee grinder | Industrial coffee grinder |
In another bedroom, the court heard, police also found a three feet tall industrial coffee grinder. | In another bedroom, the court heard, police also found a three feet tall industrial coffee grinder. |
"There was fine powder both inside and outside the grinder. This had the capacity to grind down 20kg of home made explosives per hour,'' the detective said. | "There was fine powder both inside and outside the grinder. This had the capacity to grind down 20kg of home made explosives per hour,'' the detective said. |
The detective said that during 13 interviews, Mr McConnan made no replies to questions from police. | The detective said that during 13 interviews, Mr McConnan made no replies to questions from police. |
He gave a prepared statement in which he said the latex glove found in his hip pocket had been worn when he was putting oil into his oil tank. | He gave a prepared statement in which he said the latex glove found in his hip pocket had been worn when he was putting oil into his oil tank. |
However, the officer said a receipt was found for the oil dating back to 28 November, saying it was unlikely he was filling the oil tank on the day of his arrest. | However, the officer said a receipt was found for the oil dating back to 28 November, saying it was unlikely he was filling the oil tank on the day of his arrest. |
The officer also told the court that during initial interviews Ms O'Hanlon spoke openly to detectives about family and home life. | The officer also told the court that during initial interviews Ms O'Hanlon spoke openly to detectives about family and home life. |
However, when she was asked about the items recovered in the house, she refused to comment, except to say that the industrial coffee grinder was used to grind down flour. | However, when she was asked about the items recovered in the house, she refused to comment, except to say that the industrial coffee grinder was used to grind down flour. |
The judge remanded both of the accused in custody to Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre in south Belfast. | The judge remanded both of the accused in custody to Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre in south Belfast. |
They are due back in Newry Magistrates Court via video link on 8 January, 2014. | They are due back in Newry Magistrates Court via video link on 8 January, 2014. |
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