A mother of two young children accused of possessing a high-powered rifle and ammunition was released on bail yesterday after a judge said justice must be tempered by compassion.
Belfast High Court was told an AK47 assault rifle and 160 rounds of ammunition were found during a search last week in the home of Ms Martine Teresa Sharkey (34), at Coneywarren Lane, Ligoniel, north Belfast.
A prosecution lawyer said Ms Sharkey told police that she went into the attic of her home last July after returning from a trip and saw a long package wrapped in black plastic. "She said she thought it contained guns, drugs or money, that it was something illegal and thought it was left by some paramilitary group," said the lawyer.
Mr Justice Gillen said bail would not normally be granted on such a serious charge, but she was the mother of two young children and had no previous convictions.