JULY 8th was fixed by Mr Justice Johnson at the Special Criminal Court yesterday for five Derry men facing firearms and explosives charges. The State produced the Book of Evidence in the case yesterday, after the court warned last week that it would "reconsider" the matter if it was not ready.
In court yesterday, the State Solicitor, Mr Dara Daly, said the Book of Evidence had been served on the defendants. Mr Garret Sheehan, representing the five, asked for a trial date.
The five men have been in custody since October last year. They are Mr Patrick Kavanagh (33), from Chamberlain Street, Mr Hugh Wilkinson (41), from Dunmore Gardens, Mr Paul Murray (24), from College Glen, Mr Bernard O'Hagan (35 ), from Hatmore Park and Mr Patrick Gerard McCartney (45), from Glenowen Park.
They are all charged with having two AKM assault rifles with intent to endanger life at Ballygorman, Malin, Co Donegal, on October 27th last year; with unlawful possession of the rifles and 100 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life.
They are further charged with having a grenade launcher and a projectile containing Semtex explosives.