Northern Ireland

Co Down man appears in court accused of having viable, home-made explosive device

A judge said graffiti had been sprayed on the wall of Newtownards Magistrates’ Court (David Young/PA)
The defendant appeared before Newtownards Magistrates’ Court

A Co Down man has appeared in court accused of having a viable, home-made explosive device.

Standing in the dock of Newtownards Magistrates Court on Thursday, Kyle Frederick Beattie (34) spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the three charges against him, all alleged to have been committed on 6 February this year.

Mr Beattie, from Rosevale Avenue in Newtownards, is accused of possessing a firearm under suspicion circumstances, possessing explosives with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property and possessing a class C drug, namely diazepam.

The details of the explosives charge detail that the improvised device consisted of “two fireworks, a clipper gas canister and an igniferous firework fuse”.

According to a police statement at the time, a suspicious object was discovered at Rosevale Avenue on Tuesday, which was later declared as a viable explosive device.

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In court on Thursday, a police officer gave evidence that he believed he could connect Beattie to each of the charges.

A defence solicitor confirmed he was not making any bail application.

District Judge Mark Hamill remanded the defendant into custody until 14 February.