Bail Granted to Two Individuals Following Firearms Seizure

A man and a woman, who were charged in connection with the discovery of suspected firearms and ammunition in County Tyrone, have been released on bail. Eamon McElkenny, aged 34, of Maplebrook Court in Coalisland, appeared before Strabane Magistrates’ court facing multiple charges. He is accused of possessing firearms and ammunition under suspicious circumstances, unlawfully acquiring explosives, specifically propellant, and possessing firearms without a certificate. Roisin Price, aged 43, from the same address, also appeared in the dock, charged with possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances and possessing firearms without a certificate. A detective constable informed the court that these items were found during police searches conducted at Mr. McElkenny’s home in Maplebrook Court, Coalisland, on November 5 and 6. The court heard that the two defendants were arrested after police officers patrolling Coalisland in the early hours of November 5 observed two men and a woman walking. The detective constable stated that one of the men threw several items onto the ground and had provided an incorrect identity to the police. He added that a man and a woman, who were also detained, identified themselves as Eamon McElkenny and Roisin Price. The police officer reported that a subsequent search led to the discovery of two suspected spent shotgun shells in Roisin Price’s bra. The detective constable indicated that Mr. McElkenny was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, in connection with an earlier incident reported to police in Coalisland on October 30, where a man sustained an injury to his upper arm. The court was informed that a man was still receiving treatment for the injury at the Ulster Hospital. Under questioning from a defence solicitor, the senior police officer confirmed that Mr. McElkenny had not been charged in relation to the alleged attempted murder offence and was on police bail until February 5. The court heard that Mr. McElkenny resides with his mother and grandmother at Maplebrook Court, and that Ms. Price had also provided this address to the police as her residence. The detective constable confirmed to a defence solicitor that there were no forensic or DNA links between Mr. McElkenny and the suspected weapons and ammunition. He told the court that police did not believe the suspected weapons find was terrorist-related. The court was apprised that both accused possess criminal records, and that Mr. McElkenny has 88 previous convictions. The police officer stated that authorities were objecting to bail for Mr. Elkenny and that he had made no comment to questions posed to him during his police interview. A defence lawyer argued that his client could be granted bail with the imposition of a number of stringent conditions. Mr. Quinn was granted bail to an address to be agreed upon by police, but was prohibited from entering Coalisland. A curfew between 20:00 GMT and 08:00 was also imposed. He was further ordered not to have any contact with Roisin Price. The judge also mandated cash sureties of £500 as part of his bail conditions. Ms. Price was also granted bail to an address agreed by police and was ordered to have no contact with her co-accused or any other witnesses. The case was adjourned until November 27, 2024.