TWO men appeared in court in Derry yesterday charged in connection with the discovery of a sub-machine gun and over 50 rounds of ammunition in a car which was stopped by members of an RUC patrol in the Northland Road area of the city last Thursday night. There was a heavier than normal police presence in the courtroom for the brief hearing, after which the defendants were remanded in custody until June 11th.
Mr John McGowan (37), a school caretaker from Ardnalee, Culmore and Mr Patrick McDaid (31), a taxidriver of no fixed abode, were jointly charged with possession of the weapon and ammunition on May 10th with intent to endanger life. An RUC detective constable said when he arrested, charged and cautioned the defendants, they denied any knowledge of the submachine gun.