Two charged in connection with arms find

Two men charged in connection with a republican arms find in south Belfast today denied possessing the haul which included thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Stephen Harte, aged 33 and unemployed from Dermot Hill Parade, Belfast, pleaded not guilty to possessing five timer power units for use in an explosion and also possessing weapons and ammunition, including a Romanian AKM rifle, a Derringer pistol, five starting pistols and approximately 5,000-6,000 rounds of various calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life or damage property.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard that Francis Mackin of Sultan Way in the city, a 42-year-old barman, denied the same charges.

The arms find in Essex Street in south Belfast last Saturday was linked to the Provisional IRA, as efforts continued in the Northern Ireland peace process to secure an end to all paramilitary activity.

Unionists have called on republicans to explain the find and commit themselves to an end of all paramilitary activity.

Harte and Mackin were remanded in custody until April 15 where they will appear before the court again by video link.