Three charged after seizure of explosives

Two men and a woman were charged in court in connection with the seizure of explosives in west Belfast on Friday.

Two men and a woman were charged in court in connection with the seizure of explosives in west Belfast on Friday.

The court heard that the charges arose after the seizure of items on September 17th. Mr Kevin Mary Patrick Hannaway (28), and Ms Karen Lavery (29), both of Rinnalea Walk, Belfast, were charged with six counts of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life.

Mr Liam Hannaway (34), of Hillhead Drive, Belfast, was charged on one count of possessing explosive substances under suspicious circumstances.

A detective constable told the court he believed he could connect all three to the charges.

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A solicitor for the defendants, Mr Joe McVeigh, asked the detective if Mr Hannaway's partner had claimed she was the owner of some of the items, which had been in a tool box belonging to her ex- husband. The detective said he did not believe those were the items connected to the charge.

The solicitor said Ms Lavery was suffering from depression and taking medication. Mr Hannaway had been shot in the head, leg, arm and stomach when he was 21 months. They were a vulnerable couple and did not fit the profile of people who would be connected to this type of offence.

When interviewed Mr Hannaway said masked men had come to his home on the previous Wednesday and demanded that he hand over the keys to the car where the items were found, said Mr McVeigh.

The three were remanded in custody until October 18th.