Early release on hold after explosives charges

The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, last night suspended the early release licence of Geroid Maguaid, after he appeared…

The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, last night suspended the early release licence of Geroid Maguaid, after he appeared at Lisburn Magistrates' Court yesterday on explosives charges.

Maguaid was released early from prison last July under the terms of the Belfast Agreement, having served about 20 months.

Four west Belfast men have appeared in court charged with having nearly 500 lb of home-made explosives. The men appeared separately at Lisburn Magistrates Court yesterday.

Three of the men were arrested on a road outside Hillsborough, Co Down, on Wednesday night. The fourth was arrested later.

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All four were charged with possession of explosives, described in court as 215 kg of ammonium nitrate/sugar, with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property or to enable some other persons to do so.

The men were Maguaid (36), a voluntary worker from Juniper Park, Twinbrook; Mr Joseph Gerard Kearney (41), a taxi-driver from Juniper Court, Twinbrook; Mr Kevin Francis Rainey (20), a production worker from Beech mount Parade; and Mr Michael O'Coilean McGrogan (36), unemployed, from College Square North.

Mr McGrogan is also charged with allowing his car to be used in connection with acts of terrorism.

A detective inspector told the court that when charged on Sunday night, Mr McGrogan replied "not guilty" to both counts. The detective inspector believed he could connect him with the charges.

He said Mr Maguaid had also replied not guilty to the charge.

Asked if he relied on a direct forensic link between Mr Maguaid and the explosives, he said "not solely".

He said Mr Rainey had replied "not guilty" when charged. Mr Kearney's brother Andrew was killed in a Provisional IRA "punishment" attack two years ago. He bled to death in a lift after being shot in the leg.

The magistrates remanded Mr Maguaid, Mr Kearney, and Mr McGrogan in custody to reappear at the Magistrates' Court in the Maze Prison on April 5th.

Mr Rainey was remanded to reappear at Lisburn Magistrates Court on April 17th.