Two Derry men who the PSNI believe were on “operational duty for the Real IRA” when police uncovered a gun and ammunition in a car stopped by police over three years ago will be sentenced later this week.
Martin Mcloone (25), of Abercorn Road and Darryn Patrick McCallion (25), of Rathlin Drive in Creggan, along with John Turnbull (33), of Strule Park, Omagh yesterday pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to the possession of a firearm on October 11, 2010.
Turnbull also admitted a further count on the same date of possessing articles likely to be used in terrorism.
A fourth man, Mark McGuigan (29), of Sperrin View, Omagh was found guilty at his trial last November of possessing a firearm with intent and possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
Belfast Crown Court yesterday heard the four were detained uniformed PSNI officers after they stopped Ford Fiesta car on the Gorticashel Road outside Omagh on October 11, 2010.
A prosecuting counsel told the court McGuigan was driving the car, which was registered to his mother, and tried to reverse forwards and backwards, causing a minor collision with a police car.
“The driver’s window was broken by police with the butt of a rifle,” said counsel.
Judge Corinne Philpott QC was told that Turnbull was the front seat passenger and that the rear seats of the Fiesta were laid down flat.
In the rear of the vehicle were Derrymen McCallion and McLoone.
Counsel said that during a search of the vehicle, police found a green Celtic holdall and inside was a loaded . 38 Webley revolver concealed inside a sock.
“This weapon had been deacativated in 2003 but had subsequently been reactivated to fire .22 rifle cartridges.
“The firing pin had been bent which meant it could not strike the rifle cartridge and could not fire a cartridge.”
However, prosecuting counsel said a forensics expert said it would have required only a “minor adjustment” to the firing pin for it to fire the .22 cartidges.
He added: “There was firearms residue on the revolver which showed it had been able to fire previously.”
The court heard that inside a second sock was a quantity of ammunition, including 13 rounds of .22 rimfire rifle cartridges and 20 rounds of 9 x 19 mm calibre cartridges.
When cautioned at the scene, Turnbull told police: “I want to speak to my solicitor.” Following the seizure of the Webley revolver, he replied: “That’s the first time I have seen that.”
McCallion replied after caution: “I don’t know anything about it.”
The Crown lawyer claimed disc jockey McCallion later claimed he had been kidnapped by the three and believed he was being taken away to be shot as a “punishment” for drug dealing.
McLoone told police at the scene that he was “going to a republican meeting.” Asked about the gun, he replied: “I didn’t know it was there.”
The court heard that during follow up searches, police found a black Vauxhall Corsa car in Davagh Forest. Inside, counsel said, police found a sledgehammer.
The court was told that the car was bought some days before by McCallion.
The following day, on October 12, police carried out a search at 5 Mill Cottages in Greencastle, Co Tyrone and found a three-door Renault Clio car belonging to Daniel Turnbull parked outside.
Inside the car, officers found a sub-machinegun and magazine along with 42 .22 calibre cartridges.
The court was told that the search of the Clio also uncovered three sets of ballistic body armour, latex gloves, ear defenders and combat clothing.
Following defence submissions for the four accused, Judge Corinne Philpott QC adjourned sentencing until this Friday 10 January.
McCallion and McLoone, who had been on bail, were remanded in custody while McGuigan and Turnbull, who were already in custody, were remanded back to Maghaberry Prison.
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