Man Accused over Weapons Found in Londonderry ‘Linked to New IRA’, Court Hears

By Rebecca Black (PA)

A man charged with the possession of weapons, including soviet grenade heads, explosives and ammunition, is “linked to the New IRA”, a court has heard.

Londonderry Magistrates’ Court heard a belief that the weapons were being moved for the dissident republican terrorist organisation.

John Kelly, 43, of Columbcille Court in Derry, is facing six charges around the possession of firearms and explosives.

The court heard that the items were seized by police last week as part of an operation in which 16 officers were injured during public unrest.

The charges include possession of explosive with intent to endanger life on September 7, named as soviet grenade heads, plastic explosive and two electric detonators, and a charge around possession with intent of a Browning short barrelled firearm and a quantity of assorted ammunition, and a charge around possession with intent of a Tokarev short-barrelled firearm.

Kelly appeared before the city’s magistrates’ on Thursday morning via videolink.

A police officer told the court he believed he could connect the accused to the charges.

District Judge Barney McElholm refused bail.

“There is a clear prima facia case against this defendant,” he said.

He said there is a risk of interference with witnesses and a risk of further offending.