Northern Ireland

Man accused of making `new IRA’ threats

The case against Lesley Stock has been listed for a preliminary inquiry at Belfast Magistrates Court in December
The charges followed reports that three masked men entered a number of bars in Dungiven where, allegedly armed with firearms, they issued threats against drug dealers

A Dungiven man has been remanded into custody accused of making threats under the name of the New IRA.

Appearing at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, by videolink from police custody, 58-year-old Dermot Burke spoke only to confirm that he understood three charges against him, all alleged to have been committed on January 19.

Burke, from the Drum Road in the Co Derry town, is accused of belonging or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, possessing a handgun with intent to cause a person to fear unlawful violence would be used against them and with possessing a weapon, namely an iron bar, on Main Street in Dungiven.

Solicitor Ruairi Muldoon said he had objections to a connection being made to the membership charge.

District Judge Nigel Broderick heard police have a recording of a 999 call as well as footage recorded on officers’ body worn cameras where witnesses “say that these individuals made references to being members of the New IRA”.

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The charges followed reports that three masked men entered a number of bars in Dungiven where, allegedly armed with firearms, they issued threats against drug dealers.

In court on Wednesday, a police officer said: “We do not have signed statements but we do have evidence to put forward that they all made reference to being from the New IRA.”

DJ Broderick said the test for whether Burke could be connected to the charges at this stage is whether there is sufficient evidence and on the face of it, given the evidence of the officer: “I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence to connect him.”

Mr Muldoon confirmed that Burke was not applying for bail at this stage.

Remanding Burke into custody, DJ Broderick adjourned the case to February 5 for a potential bail application.