One of the men accused of attempting to murder Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has appeared in court on new terrorism charges.
Brian John Carron (39), from Claremount Drive, Coalisland, who is suspected of being the New IRA commander in Co Tyrone, is charged with intending to commit acts of terrorism by possessing and handling explosives, namely pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and research department explosive (RDX).
Offending is alleged to have occurred on dates between November 21, 2022, and May 27, 2023.
Currently remanded in custody on the attempted murder charge, Carron was released into police custody earlier this week for further interview, appearing before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court today.
A detective sergeant said he believed the charges could be connected, which was challenged by a defence lawyer.
However, District Judge Peter Magill ruled the connection was proved.
There was no application for bail and Carron was remanded in custody.
The case has been adjourned until June 18 at Omagh Magistrates’ Court to link with existing matters.
Seven others are similarly charged with attempted murder, while a further three are accused of preparing for acts of terrorism.
DCI Caldwell was taking football practice at Youth Sport in Omagh when two gunmen fired multiple shots at him.
A detective previously explained that items of Carron’s clothing seized in the aftermath had traces of nitro-glycerine indicative of cartridge discharge residue matching that found on DCI Caldwell’s clothing.
The detective said: “We say this supports whoever was wearing that was present when a firearm was discharged. It is believed he is a senior and trusted member of the IRA. This was a terrorist group in conjunction with a criminal grouping who are capable of disposing of evidence and intimidating witnesses.”
The defence argued the detective was making “a desperate attempt to introduce prejudicial evidence… There is no forensic footprint connected to my client… This prosecution should be discontinued as there is no evidence linking him to this case.”
A prosecuting barrister explained that on March 4, 2022, Carron attended a Saoradh protest outside Palace Barracks in Co Down, the Northern Ireland headquarters of MI5, ten days after DCI Caldwell was attacked.
Surveillance showed the group initially meeting in Belfast, where footage appeared to show him “enacting a shooting of some description of a person raising their hands in some sort of protective measure. From DCI Caldwell’s account and the injuries to his hands, that is an action he took. That information was not public at that time.”
Back in 2018, Carron was charged with firearms offences relating to what was described as one of the largest hauls recovered by police in the preceding 10 years, including explosives, weapons, ammunition and detonators.
The case was adjourned numerous times but was later withdrawn and all charges were dropped.
Earlier this year, it emerged the charges had been reinstated, with Carron accused of possessing explosive substances — namely black powder — plastic high explosive, a tubular container for a PG-7 propellant/tail unit, detonating cord, improvised copper cones, improvised battery holder/switches, improvised inertia bar/striker, improvised electronic incendiary devices, three MK15-type improvised timer power units, an improvised tail fin from an MK16-type mortar bomb, components of the propellant chamber for an MK16-type mortar system, an improvised grip-stock for a propelled recoilless improvised grenade launcher, sheathed safety fuse, improvised detonators, a RPG rocket motor and a grenade warhead.
He also allegedly had multiple firearms including a Smith & Wesson pistol, four AK-47 assault rifles, six magazines and other ammunition, as well as vehicles and phones in suspicious circumstances.
The haul was with intent to endanger life and for use in terrorism, with the offences allegedly occurring on dates between October 2010 and April 2011.
This case has also been adjourned to link with existing matters.
by Gazmac_868855
5 comments
At what point do we stop referring to the New IRA’s activities as terrorism instead of organised crime?
What is their stated aim at this point, other than just being hateful cunts.
Where’d he get the RDX, Black Mesa?
Paha. Big thick cunt head on yer man
Hey Gaz. Fuck you.