Northern Ireland

Man charged with bringing gun into West Tyrone polling station

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle

A man has been charged with bringing a gun into a polling station in the West Tyrone by-election.

The 59-year-old accused was arrested following an incident in Greencastle, Co Tyrone during Thursday's West Tyrone by-election.

He has been charged with carrying a firearm with criminal intent and possession of a firearm or ammunition in suspicious circumstances. He is due in court in Dungannon, Co Tyrone this morning.

Police in Omagh had received a report of a man acting suspiciously at the polling station in Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School on the Crockanboy Road, Greencastle, just before 1pm yesterday.

Chief Electoral Officer Virginia McVea said a man had "approached the poll staff in Greencastle polling station and produced what appeared to be a handgun from his pocket".

She added: "He engaged with staff then left the polling station without any weapon being discharged.

"The way that the staff dealt with it, I understand that other members of the public may have been unaware of the incident."

Read more:

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