THE State has been given one more week to produce a book of evidence in the case of five men facing firearms and explosives charges. Mr Just ice Johnson, presiding in the Special Criminal Court yesterday, said the court would "reconsider" the matter on June 4th if a book of evidence was not produced by that date.
The five Derry men before the court have been in custody since October last year. They are Mr Patrick Kavanagh (33), of Chamberlain Street; Mr Hugh Wilkinson (41), of Dunmore Gardens; Mr Paul Murray (24), of College Glen; Mr Bernard O'Hagan (35), of Hat more Park; and Mr Patrick Gerard McCartney (45), from Glenowen Park.
They are charged with possession of two AKM assault rifles with intent to endanger life at Ballygorman, Malin, Co Donegal, on October 27th last year; with unlawful possession of the rifles; possession of 100 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life; and unlawful possession of the ammunition.
The five are further charged with possession of a recoiless improvised grenade launcher and a projectile containing Semtex explosives, with intent to endanger life and for an unlawful purpose on the same date.
In court yesterday, a State Solicitor, Mr Patrick Geraghty, said the book of evidence was due to be served that day but the State was not in a position to serve it. He applied for an adjournment to June 17th, when he said the book would be available, and apologised for the delay.
Mr Patrick Gageby SC, for the defendants, objected to the State's application and asked that his clients be released.