A petrol-bomb factory found in a loyalist housing estate in Ballymena was intended for use against the RUC, Belfast High Court heard yesterday.
When police raided a flat in the Ballykeel estate on July 7th they found five petrol bombs, 108 empty milk bottles, rags, fireworks and two empty containers smelling of petrol, said a Crown lawyer. He was opposing a bail application by Mr Adrian Dodds (27), from Barra Drive, Ballykeel, who was charged with possessing petrol bombs.
Counsel said Mr Dodds told police two strangers had come to his flat and asked him to store things for them. They said that if there was trouble over the Twelfth the police would be lured into the area and the petrol bombs would be used to attack them.
A lawyer for Mr Dodds said he had been pressurised into helping the men but it was never his intention to get involved in any trouble. He said Mr Dodds had a completely clear record and because of what happened was giving up the flat and going back to live with his parents.
Lord Justice Nicholson released Mr Dodds on his own bail of £500 with two sureties of £250 each.