Alleged dissidents were 'on duty'
THREE men, arrested in Cookstown because of alleged dissident Republican activity, have appeared in court.
The men, all in their 20s, are accused of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
They were arrested Monday night when police officers stopped and searched a car in Cookstown. Police found a green holdall bag in the car, containing a revolver loaded with six live bullets. More ammunition was found rolled up in a sock.
The accused are Mark McGuigan, 26, from Omagh, and Martin McClune and Darren Patrick McCallion, both 22 and from Londonderry.
A detective from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) told Strabane Magistrates Court on Thursday he believed the men were on operational duty with the Real IRA and that he opposed bail given the current security situation.
A fourth man arrested at the same time is already in custody, the PSNI said.
Mid-Ulster DUP Assembly MLA and member of the Policing Board, Ian McCrea, welcomed the police operation.
Mr. McCrea said "Northern Ireland has made a very clear statement at election after election that it wants to move forward in a peaceful and democratic manner.
"Right across the community people have turned their backs on the days when bombings and shootings were in the news daily.
"Those who peddle terror have nothing to offer society other than mayhem and murder. I would urge the community to unite against this and work with the police to ensure that terrorists are put out of business for good.
"Whilst the police can have the resources and intelligence the greatest weapon they have against dissidents is in the form of information coming from the community."
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Weather for Dungannon
Monday 20 May 2013
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