Bail refused to man accused of transporting bomb to Waterfoot Hotel

high court belfast
The High Court in Belfast has heard how a bomb discovered near a Derry hotel was to be smuggled inside before a PSNI recruitment event.
Prosecutors claimed two men made a 225km road trip to leave explosives concealed in a fire extinguisher in undergrowth close to the venue.
The alleged plan was to return later and move the device to its intended final destination within the Waterfoot Hotel.
The details emerged as bail was refused to one of the pair accused of transporting the bomb parts across the Irish border on 6 October.
Darren Poleon, 41, of Drumbaragh in Kells, Co Meath is charged with preparing an act of terrorism and was refused bail.
He faces further counts of conspiracy to cause an explosion and possessing an improvised explosive device with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property.
Co-accused Brian Walsh, 34, of Dunshaughlin in Co Meath is charged with the same offences.
The pair were in a car stopped by police in Omagh three days before the bomb was discovered.
But the prosecution barrister said the police view is the device was at a transit location – it was to be moved closer or within the hotel prior to the PSNI recruitment event to take place the following day.”
Examination of the satnav system in the car the menwere in revealed it travelled from Co Meath to the “destination” at a roundabout near the Waterfoot Hotel, the court heard.
Joe Brolly, defending, argued that the case against his client was “replete with speculation”, with no DNA or fingerprint evidence linking him to the scene of the bomb find.
Mr Brolly also disputed allegations about the sat nav and hotel reservation.
Refusing bail, however, Judge Kerr held there was prima facie evidence of involvement in a “very sophisticated and clearly terrorist-type operation”.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement