Two men in court over Derry assault rifle discovery
The weapon and ammunition were recovered following the search of a vehicle on Tuesday
- Published
Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of an assault rifle and ammunition in Londonderry.
Police have linked the seizure to the New IRA.
Patrick James Collett, 56, of Rossnagalliagh and Martin Burke, 59, of Lone Moor Gardens in Derry appeared via video-link at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Friday.
They are charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life on May 21.
They are both further charged with possessing the items in suspicious circumstances on the same date.
The weapon and ammunition were recovered following the search of a vehicle that was stopped by police in the Letterkenny Road area of Derry on Tuesday.
A police officer told the court they could connect both of the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
The court heard that Mr Collett was observed parking a black car outside Mr Burke's address at about 17:30 BST on Tuesday.
He was said to have entered the property and emerged a few minutes later wearing a glove and carrying a plastic bag, which he then placed in the boot of the car.
The officer said that a short time later Mr Collett was then subsequently stopped by police and following a search of his vehicle, a bag containing a "Romanian AKM fully-automatic assault rifle", a magazine and seven rounds of ammunition were found.
The officer told the court the police believed the weapon was being moved on behalf of the New IRA.
'Moving it from A to B'
A defence solicitor for Mr Collett said his client had felt pressured into moving the items and was not aware of what they were.
The solicitor said Mr Collett "never had any dealings with violent republicanism" and said there was no prospect of Mr Collett using the weapon, but rather he was "moving it from A to B".
A defence solicitor for Mr Burke said his client had issues with alcohol and said he had somehow agreed to look after this parcel for a matter of weeks.
District judge Barney McElholm said the case raised a lot of questions, such as where the weapon came from and who asked for it to be picked up.
In response to a question from the judge, the police officer also told the court neither man would have been "well known to police".
The judge said he did not believe both men had "fully co-operated" with officers and said they were not suitable for bail.
Both men were remanded back into custody to appear again next month.