Court hears DNA found on improvised bomb

A court in Derry was told yesterday that a man's DNA was found on an improvised bomb discovered by the security forces in a garage…

A court in Derry was told yesterday that a man's DNA was found on an improvised bomb discovered by the security forces in a garage yard in Bellaghy, Co Derry, last July.

Declan McGlinchey (30), a labourer, from Gulladuff Road, Bellaghy, appeared before Derry Magistrates' Court charged with having an improvised explosive device with intent to endanger life. He is further charged with making an improvised explosive device, also with intent to endanger life.

The defendant's parents, Dominic and Mary McGlinchey, were both murdered in what is believed to have been an INLA feud. Both had been former senior members of the INLA.

The defendant replied "yip" when asked to confirm his identity and said he understood the charges.

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A detective constable from Magherafelt, Co Derry, said he arrested, charged and cautioned the defendant at Antrim PSNI station on Thursday of this week. He said he believed he could connect the defendant to the charges and confirmed that the defendant had replied "no" when charged.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Shane O'Neill, the police witness confirmed that the defendant had made a statement denying the allegations.

The witness said the evidence against the defendant was of a forensic nature. "His DNA was found on the device on a piece of tape on the device," he said.

The detective constable said that the improvised device consisted of components, batteries, wires and a lunch box and added that further forensic tests of the device would be carried out.

Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm remanded the defendant in custody to appear before Magherafelt Magistrates' Court via a video link on November 15th.