Accused pair remanded in custody in NI

Two men accused of a foiled dissident republican bomb plot in Northern Ireland were tonight remanded in custody.

Unemployed Mark Carroll, 36, and Martin Brogan, a 35-year-old labourer, are charged with possessing explosives and other terrorist-related equipment including gloves, balaclavas and radio transmitters.

Brogan was also accused of membership of the Real IRA – the republican splinter organisation who carried out the Omagh bomb outrage which killed 29 people in 1998.

They were arrested during a major security operation which intercepted two undercar booby-trap devices in Newry, County Down, last Tuesday close to the border.

Both Carroll of Shannagh Drive, Annalong, and Mr Brogan from Commedagh Park in Castlewellan, deny all the charges against them.

As they appeared before a magistrates court in Banbridge, County Down, today Detective Inspector Keith Agnew said he believed he could connect the men to the offences.

The bombs were seized when police and army searched a car on the Omeath Road just outside Newry.

Mr Agnew told the court forensic tests have so far proved inconclusive.

Quizzed by a defence lawyer, he added that the evidence linking Brogan to the Real IRA was based on a statement given by a senior police officer.

Both men were granted permission to see their families before being put in custody.

They are due to appear again at Newry Court via video link on October 16.

Their lawyer confirmed they would be making a high court bail application.