Northern Ireland

Firearm charge dropped in case against loyalist Mark Harbinson

Mark Harbinson (49) pictured at a previous court hearing
Mark Harbinson (49) pictured at a previous court hearing Mark Harbinson (49) pictured at a previous court hearing

PROMINENT loyalist Mark Harbinson has had a charge of having a firearm with intent to endanger life dropped.

The 49-year-old, of Sheepwalk Road in Stoneyford, Co Antrim, was due to be arraigned at Belfast Crown Court today on a total of four charges.

He was not present when prosecution lawyer Nicola Aurett told Judge Geoffrey Miller: "Following consideration, the prosecution do not intend to proceed with count one, which is possession of a firearm with intent to endanger.''

The arraignment hearing on the remaining three charges - possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances and possessing a 9mm Makarov pistol and 28 rounds of 9mm ammunition without a certificate - was adjourned until January 20 for further legal argument.

Defence barrister Craig Patton told the court that he would be making a fresh application for bail on that date.

No details were given in court today of the nature of the charges Harbinson faces.

But during an unsuccessful High Court bail application in November last year, a judge was told he fled to England after a gun and ammunition were found at his Co Antrim home.

The court was told the semi-automatic pistol, silencer and bullets were discovered during searches at his Sheepwalk Road address on December 21 2015.

Police found them inside a biscuit tin in the rafters of a barn beside the property.

A shebeen-style drinking bar was also said to contain items associated with the Orange Volunteers, including a banner for the proscribed loyalist grouping.

Harbinson has denied all the charges, with his defence team telling a High Court judge that the seized firearm was in a "decrepit'' condition.