Ryan O’Reilly faced Derry Magistrates’ Court charged over explosives and weapons haul

A MAN has faced a court charged with a number of firearms and explosive offences, including the possession of a sub machine gun and hand grenades.

Ryan O’Reilly (27), of Meadowbank Court, Derry appeared in the dock of Derry Magistrates’ Court charged with having a Baikal pistol and sound suppressor and a quantity of ammunition in suspicious circumstances on 12 December last year.

When the charges were put to him, Court papers show O’Reilly replied: “That there was in my possession a few years ago.

“However, I have nothing to do with nor did I bring any firearms or explosives into Derry. I strongly deny the importation of drugs.”

O’Reilly is further charged with having self-loading pistol and two magazines of ammunition, a sub-machine gun with magazine, sound suppressor and a quantity of ammunition, two hand grenades, a stun gun, CS gas spray and magazines for a Glock 17 pistol and Beretta 92 self-loading pistol.

O’Reilly, who appeared in court wearing a light blue printed tee-shirt and handcuffed to a prison officer, did not speak during the five minute hearing, nodding twice to confirm is identity and that he understood the charges against him.

A PSNI detective constable told the court he believed he could connect the accused to the charges.

Defence solicitor, Kevin Casey, informed Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm his client was not making an application for bail.

O’Reilly was remanded in custody to appear via video link at the same court on 21 November next.

Inquiries by detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch have taken them to Yugoslavia and Switzerland.