Eight remanded on UVF-link charges

Eight men appeared in court in Belfast today charged with belonging to the outlawed loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force.

The men, who also faced charges of possessing firearms and paramilitary uniforms, were all remanded in custody until February 17.

The charges followed a major police operation in Monkstown, County Antrim on Saturday when police seized paramilitary equipment from a disused shop.

The operation was mounted the day after the UVF severed its links with the international armed decommissioning body, headed by Canadian general John de Chastelain, saying IRA intransigence was putting the loyalist terror group’s ceasefire commitment under “adverse strain”.

The men appeared in the Dock at Belfast Magistrates’ Court in pairs accompanied by three armed police officers.

They each face the same two charges. Possession of deactivated firearms, a replica firearm, component parts for a firearm – magazines – and paramilitary uniforms; and a second charge of belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the UDF.

The accused were: John Rolston, 28, unemployed of Alexander Crescent, Armagh; Richard Morrow, 24, unemployed of Lynn Road, Larne, County Antrim; Joseph Crawford, 31, unemployed of Fairway, Larne; Philip Clarke, 21, unemployed of Cairngorm Drive, Larne; Ian Davidson, 24, a sheet metal worker of Waterfall Road, Larne; Dale Magill, 21, unemployed of Inverview Drive, Larne and Robert Anderson, 22, unemployed of Drumahoe Gardens, Larne and Colin Greer, 32, unemployed of Ards Park, Monkstown.

The court heard that when charged on Sunday night the men either made no reply or denied the charges.

Under questioning from solicitor Richard Monteith, Det Sgt David Skelly said that police were relying on intelligence, together with evidence recovered at the scene, to substantiate the charge of UVF membership.

The detective sergeant, who charged the men but was not involved in interviewing them, said he was personally aware of the intelligence but was not able to disclose it at this time.

When Mr Monteith continued to press for further information about the intelligence, Magistrate Mark Hammill intervened, adjourned the court for 10 minutes and returned insisting: “I will not permit any cross examination on intelligence matters.”

Under further questioning, the police officer said evidence related to the charge involved the discovery of paramilitary clothing with UVF insignia together with UVF flags.

Mr Monteith said the items referred to were all publicly worn by the colour party of the flute band to which Mr Magill belonged and challenged the officer: “Isn’t that correct?”

The magistrate again intervened saying he would not permit the question and said he was ruling that he was satisfied there was justification to remand the accused.

Solicitor Ivor Moffatt, representing two of the accused, complained about what he described as inaccurate and highly prejudicial comments made by a senior police officer at the time of the find, which he said would be a matter for investigation by the police ombudsman.