Three remanded on explosives charge

The van was intercepted by police

Three men have appeared at a special court in County Fermanagh charged with having explosives with intent to endanger life.

It is understood the charges relate to an explosives find at the weekend.

A mortar bomb containing an estimated 100kilos of home-made explosives was found in a van intercepted by police near Derrylin on Saturday.

Three people appeared at court in Enniskillen on Wednesday night charged with possession of ammonia nitrate with intent to endanger life on 11 November.

Remanded in custody

They were Sean Gilleece, 36, a mechanic from Molly Road, Kinawley, and Newtownbutler men John Connolly, 25, a builder from Drumboghanagh Road and unemployed John Swift, 36, from Galloon Gardens.

A detective inspector told the court that when charged John Connolly replied "no".

He added that John Swift said: "I had nothing to do with it and Sean Gilleece said: "I deny knowledge of any substance".

The officer said he could connect all three to the charge.

They were remanded in custody until 13 December.