Man remanded in custody charged with attempted murder of police officer

A 35-year-old man from Co Armagh has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged in connection with an attempt to kill a police officer in the Co Derry village of Eglinton last year.

Sean McVeigh, of Victoria Street, Lurgan, was charged with possession of Semtex explosives with intent to endanger life and with the attempted murder of a police officer.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred on 8 June last year.

McVeigh refused to stand in court when addressed

He also refused to recognise the court or confirm he understood the charges after they were put to him.

Peter Corrigan, defence counsel, told the court McVeigh had no previous relevant record.

He added there would be no application for bail as he believed the prosecution were “missing essential ingredients” in the case.

Mr Corrigan told the court low levels of explosives had been detected on McVeigh’s clothing and that he wished disclosure of the conclusions of expert reports.

He added there was no forensic evidence detecting fibres or DNA linking him to Eglinton and that CCTV evidence of the vehicle McVeigh was arrested in the Republic had no factual evidence of the same vehicle being seen in the Co Derry village.

Mr Corrigan said the defence were seeking an adjournment until disclosure of reports were made.

District Judge Barney McEholm asked that the disclosure of expert reports be made to the defence before next Monday.

McVeigh was remanded in custody to appear via video link from prison on Monday next, 16 May.

He was applauded by group of men in the public gallery as he was taken down to the cells.