Man remanded on arms charges

A man has appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court on charges connected to a major weapons seizure on the outskirts of north Belfast.

Phillip George Shaw, 39, from Carlan Close, Rathcoole, was charged with possessing four pipe bombs, an improvised explosive device, five sub-machineguns, four pistols, a sawn-off shotgun and a quantity of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

The weapons were recovered in the roofspace of a house in the mainly loyalist Rathcoole estate near Newtownabbey.

A detective told the court that when charged, Mr Shaw made no reply.

The officer said he believed he could connect him with the charges.

The accused was remanded in custody until 21 November and his solicitor confirmed an application for bail would be made in the High Court on Friday.