A Co Armagh man has appeared in court charged with possession of arms and explosives and of membership of the Loyalist Volunteer Force. Mr William Ian Thompson (28), from Breezemount Manor, Hamiltonsbawn, near Armagh, appeared at Banbridge Magistrate's Court yesterday.
He faced charges of possession of arms including an Uzi sub machine gun, a shotgun, 30 shotgun cartridges and a black explosive powder. He was also charged with membership of the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
An RUC officer told the court that Mr Thompson made no response when the charges were put to him on Wednesday. He also confirmed that Mr Thompson had repeatedly denied all allegations put to him during seven days of questioning at Strand Road RUC station, Derry.
Mr Thompson and a woman were arrested at their Co Armagh home last week. The woman was later released without charge.
Mr Thompson, who denied the charges, was remanded in custody to appear before court on April 5th.