A 40-year-old man, arrested in Derry on suspicion of a serious assault on a woman in city at the weekend, has appeared in court in Co Fermanagh on drug supply charges.

The man was detained in connection the alleged assault on the woman, believed to be a visitor to the city, which occurred in a car park in the Culmore Road area of the city in the early hours of Sunday morning last.

However, he was released from police custody without charge before being rearrested and charged with possessing Class A and Class B and possessing them with intent to supply to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

A Derry man, believed by police to be member of an organised crime gang operating in the city, is in custody awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty at the city’s Crown Court to a number of offences linked to the discovery of £20,000 worth of drugs and a haul of weapons and explosives, including guns and hand-grades, in a “safe house” used by the gang in the city almost two years ago.

The munitions, along with ecstasy and methodrone with an estimated street value of £20,000, were discovered during an intelligence-led search operation by the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch of a block of flats at Hawkin Street on 20 December, 2012,

Gary Pius McPhillips (30), of Hawkin Street, admitted the possession of an improvised 9mm sub machine gun, a .22 self-loading pistol, an 8mm blank firing pistol, loaded magazines, silencers, two viable hand-grenades and a CS canister.

A second man, Ryan O’Reilly (28), of Meadowbank Court, admitted having a blank firing pistol on an unknown date between 31 January 2005 and 21 December 2012.

The court was told the grenades were of Yugoslavian origin and similar to those used to murder two female police constables in Greater Manchester in 2012.

The court heard McPhillips was a member of a crime gang controlled by his brother Mark, who was jailed earlier this year for a number offences including having £800,000 worth of cannabis with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Frank Donohue told the court during a search of McPhillips’ flat on the fourth floor of the apartment block, police discovered nine ecstasy tablets.

Further searches of the building discovered 755 ecstasy tablets and 272 grammes of methadrone in a chest freezer located under a stairwell in the building.

The weapons were discovered during a search of the building’s roofspace.

The court was told all the weapons fired when tested.

The court was told that during police interviews, McPhillips admitted the drugs found his flat had been given to him for his own personal use in return for storing the drugs in the chest freezer.

He denied any knowledge of the weapons and explosives but later asked to be re-arraigned and changed his plea to guilty.

Mr Donohue told the court while there was “no terrorist involvement,” McPhillips was a “trusted member” of the criminal gang who was entrusted with storing the weaponry and had responsibility for “dividing up” the drugs.

The court heard McPhillips had a number of previous convictions, including having class A drugs with intent to supply in Derry in 2007 and drug trafficking in Belgium.

The court was told O’Reilly was linked to the blank firing pistol through DNA profile found on the weapon.

The court heard he admitted to police he may have handled the weapon “some time earlier” outside the jurisdiction.

Both accused were remanded in custody to be sentenced on 5 November next.

Declan Gallagher.

Detectives from the PSNI’S Organised Crime Branch have charged a 34 year old man arrested in North Belfast yesterday afternoon with dealing in class A drugs cocaine and conspiracy to supply class cocaine.

He is due to appear at Craigavon Magistrates Court today.

The arrest is in connection with the seizure of £225,000 cocaine in the Lisburn area on 22 May this year.

It is understood he s the fourth person charged in relation to this particular seizure in Lisburn.

The decision to prosecute brings to 18 in total the number of people charged in connection with the investigation linked to six drugs seizures in Northern Ireland over the past year worth over £2 million.

Police believe at the pinnacle of the organisation was a man who survived two murder plots at the hands of dissident republicans.

Declan Gallagher, who is originally from Derry but living in Manchester for four years, was described in Derry Magistrates Court last week as the “principal member” of an organised crime gang accused of flooding Northern Ireland with cocaine.

A 57-year-old Derry woman was given 100 hours community service at the city’s Magistrates Court for claiming over £7,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

Anne Clarke, of Fanad Drive in Creggan, claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £7,312 while failing to declare employment.

She was given 100 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £43.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddihy.

The son of the elderly couple whose bodies were found in their Carndonagh home yesterday morning is due to appear in court this evening charged in connection with their deaths.

Jimmy (77) and Kathleen Cuddihy (73) were found with horrific injuries at their Churchtown home at around 9.00am.

Their 42-year-old son, Julian, was arrested a short time later and taken to Buncrana Garda Station for questioning under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

He is due to appear before a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court at 9.30pm this evening.

Jason Cuddihy being led into Ballyshannon District Court.

A 42-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court in Donegal tonight charged with the murder of his parents.

Julian Cuddihy, of Churchtown, Carndonagh was charged with the murder of Jimmy (77) and Kathleen (73) Cuddihy, whose bodies where found in their Churchtown home yesterday morning.

Detective Garda Bernard Mullins told the court when Cuddihy was charged he replied “I have no response” to the first count while he answered “I’m not signing that” to the second.

Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddihy.

Defence solicitor Ray Lannon, of Michael D White Solicitors in Carndonagh, asked Judge Kevin Kilrane that his client receive immediate psychiatric assessment at Castlerea Prison.

Judge Kilrane was told that a local doctor had attended accused on 15 October but  was not psychiatrically assessed.

Judge Kilrane recommended  the accused be assessed as was conveniently possible.

Cuddihy, wearing blue tracksuit bottoms and a wine-coloured sweat top and black trainers, sat wringing his hands throughout the hearing.

He was accompanied into court by three Donegal-based detectives who sat beside him throughout the hearing.

The accused was remanded in custody to appear at Letterkenny District Court on Wednesday next.

A 25-year-old man has been charged in connection with Thursday’s discovery of a cannabis factory near Claudy in Co. Derry.

Cannabis plants worth an estimated £400,000 were found by Neighbourhood officers from Limavady in a house at Farkland, near Foreglen, just off the main Derry to Dungiven road.

The man has been charged with being concerned in the supply of class B controlled drug, cultivating cannabis, possessing a class B controlled drug with intent to supply and possession of a class B controlled drug.

He is expected to appear before Derry Magistrates Court on Monday next, 27 October.

Two other men, aged 52 and 58, arrested in connection with the seizure have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A 23-year-old Derry man is due before the city Magistrates Court this morning charged with tattooing a minor.

The accused is alleged to have carried out the offence at his home in May this year.

He is charged under Article 3 of the Tattooing of Minors (Northern Ireland) Order 1979

If convicted, he faces a fine of up to £500.

A 25-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged in connection with the discovery of a suspected cannabis factory near Claudy on Thursday last.

Thomas Brolly, of Coolessan Walk, Limavady, faced four charges.

He was charged with possessing cannabis and having the class B drug with intent to supply.

He was also charged with the cultivation of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the drug.

A PSNI constable told the court police discovered 730 cannabis plants and quantity of the drug ready for street supply in a newly-built house at Farkland Road.

The constable told the court the estimated street value of the haul was between £300,00 and £400,000.

Brolly was remanded in custody to appear in court again on 13 November next.

A 23 year-old man was fined £250 when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court today charged with tattooing a minor.

Jonathan Wells, of Newland Terrace, Waterside, carried out the offence on a 13-year-old boy on May 18 this year.

The court heard Wells, who was not licensed, had given the boy a permanent “winged heart” tattoo his right forearm.

The court heard the boy had contacted accused through Facebook and had been directed to him by a qualified tattoo artist.

Wells said he believed the boy was 17 but had neglected to ask him his age or to provide identification.

A defence solicitor told the court Wells had not tattooed since the incident and was “very, very upset” about being before the court and was extremely sorry for his actions.

Julian Cuddihy arrives in court in Letterkenny this morning. Pic by Northwest News Pix.

The Carndonagh man charged with murdering his parents has been ordered by a judge to undergo psychiatric assessment.

Julian Cuddihy (42) appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court this morning.

He had been remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison after appearing at Ballyshannon District Court last Friday night last.

At that sitting Judge Kevin Kilrane asked to have the accused psychologically assessed as soon as was practicably possible.

However, when he appeared this morning, Cuddihy’s solicitor Ray Lannon said this had not taken place yet.

Judge Paul Kelly was told by Mr Lannon the delay was a result of Castlerea Prison not having the facility carry out a psychiatric assessment.

Garda Inspector Goretti Sheridan said a doctor from the Central Mental Hospital had contacted Castlerea Prison describing it as “a work in progress.”

Judge Kelly then ordered Mr Cuddihy to be remanded in custody to appear at Harristown Court on Friday week, 7 November.

Cuddihy waved and greeted relatives when he arrived in the court but did not speak during the brief hearing.

He is charged with two counts of murder at Churchtown, Carndonagh in or around Octber 22nd.

His parents, Jimmy (77)  and Kathleen (73) were found dead at their home on Thursday morning last.

Hundreds the funerals of the popular couple in Carndonagh yesterday.

A 37-year-old man who was abusive to staff at the casualty department of Altnagelvin Hospital last night was given a suspended jail sentence when he appeared at the city’s Magistrates Court this afternoon.

The court heard police were called to the hospital’s A&E department by concerned staff after Thomas Crumlish, of Ballymoat, Co Sligo, became abusive to staff who had earlier treated him for a hand injury.

The court heard when police arrived Crumlish was standing just outside the A&E departmen and was arrested when he became disorderly.

Defence solicitor, Seamus Quigley, told the court Crumlish had been highly intoxicated police had been called to the hospital as he had been “making a nuisance of himself.”

Mr Quigley stressed the disorderly behaviour took place outside the A&E department.

After hearing Crumlish had a previous conviction for being “simple drunk,” disorderly behaviour and criminal damage, Resident Magistrate sentence the accused to three months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Crumlish was also ordered to pay £125 to the Friends of Altnagelvin charity.

A 48 year-old man found with his trousers at his knees with his “privates clearly visible”  has been given a suspended jail sentence at Derry Magistrates Court.

The court was told police were yesterday called to Strand Road where they found Damien Joseph Young, of no fixed abode, sitting outside Quayside Shopping Centre in an intoxicated state with his trousers down.

Asking Resident Magistrate, Barney McElholm, that Young be given credit for his plea of guilt, defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client was aware his behaviour was unacceptable.

Accepting there was nothing sexual behind Young’s actions, Mr McElholm added: “He appears to have been just a drunk man who had probably been attempting to urinate.

“However, it’s disturbing and distressing for young children to witness.”

After being informed a house in Strabane was being “fixed up” for the accused, Mr McElholm added: “Quite frankly, I’d rather not see him back here. I wish him all the best of luck in Strabane and long may he enjoy the hospitality of that town.”

Young, who admitted a charge of indecent behaviour, was given a three month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

Kieran McLaughlin arriving at Derry Magistrates Court this morning. Photo: North West Newspix.

A 59-year-old man has been returned for trial charged with the murder of a man in Derry city centre last year.

Barry McCrory was shot dead in an upstairs flat in Shipquay Street on 10 October.

Kieran Joseph McLaughlin, of Elaghmore Park, faced a number of offences when he appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrates Court this morning.

He is charged with murdering the 35-year-old father of one and  being in possession of a double-barrelled “sawn off shotgun, a self-loading pistol and magazine, seven 12-bore shotgun cartridges and a 12-bore shotgun cartridge with intent to endanger life.

He is also charged with having the weapons and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

He faces further charges linked to the possession of an imitation firearm.

McLaughlin, who was handcuffed to a prisoner officer during the brief hearing, did not speak but waved and smiled at family members and supporters in the public gallery.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Belfast Crown Court in December.

A 26-years-old Derry man was given a suspended prison sentence when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court this morning on drug supply charges.

Alan Graham, of Duncastle Park, Newbuildings, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis on March 21 and 23 this year.

He also admitted being in possession of the class B drug on April 2.

A prosecuting solicitor told the court police discovered a gramme of cannabis during a search of the accused’s home and messages on a number of mobile phones seized at the time related to the supply of drugs.

Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin told the court, Graham was supplying the drugs to friends to feed his own drug habit.

Mr Devlin added the accused had received treatment and was now “drug free.”

Graham was given a four months prison sentence suspended for two-and-a-half years.

The sub machine gun found by police

A detective leading an investigation into the activities of a drugs gang in Derry has warned of the lethal capabilities of some of these groups beyond that posed by the drugs themselves.

Detective Inspector Tom McClure was speaking after two Derry men, 30 year old Gary McPhillips and 28 year old Ryan O’Reilly, were jailed for eight and two years respectively for offences linked to the seizure of drugs and munitions in the city two years ago.

The sentences are to be served half in jail and half on licence.

The court also imposed serious crime prevention orders on both men for five years to protect the community.

Officers from Organised Crime Branch seized £20,000 worth of ecstasy and methedrone, three firearms and ammunition, two high explosive military specification hand grenades, an electric stun device and a CS gas canister during a search of a property at Hawkin Street in December 2012 linked to McPhillips and O’Reilly.

The hand-grenade recovered by police.

The search at Hawkin Street was part of a follow-up investigation into the seizure of £800,000 worth of cannabis in the Glengalliagh area of the city in May 2012.

One man, Mark McPhillips, was later jailed for seven years and stripped of all his assets after he was caught driving a van loaded with kitchen units containing the illegal drugs.

Speaking after the jailing of McPhillips and O’Reilly at Derry Crown Court this morning, DI McClure said the items recovered at Hawkin Street were “worrying.”

He added: “They show a potential to cause serious injury or death, over and above the obvious harm posed by drugs. Thankfully, we have removed them before they can cause any damage.

“But there are worrying similarities to the violent paraphernalia associated with drugs gangs in large inner cities in Britain and Ireland where drugs are peddled for profit but cause nothing but destruction and where violence or the threat of violence are used to enforce these activities.

One of the weapons recovered.

“We have taken this small arsenal which included a sub-machine gun, two handguns and two high explosive military specification hand grenades off the streets. We will continue to pursue any individual involved in organised criminality and drugs and put them before the courts. The criminal justice system is the only effective way of dealing with this community problem.

“Detectives in Organised Crime Branch will follow all investigative leads to frustrate, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups involved in drugs with the objective of keeping people safe and putting suspects before the courts. We would continue to ask individuals and groups to work with us to minimise the threat and make our communities safer.”

A 57-year-old Derry man is due to appear in court in the city today charged with raping a woman in the city last year.

The alleged offence occurred on a date unknown between the 3 September and 6 September 2013

He faces a second charge of serious sexual assault on the woman between the same dates.

He is due to appear at Derry Crown Court this morning.

Eamon Bradley.

The Derry man arrested as part of inquiries into reports of alleged activity in Syria is to appear in court charged with gun and explosives offences.

Eamon Bradley (25) was arrested by detectives from the PSNI serious crime branch at his home at Melmore Gardens in the Creggan area of the city on Thursday last.

He had been taken to the PSNI’s serious crime suite at Antrim Police Station for questioning.

He is charged with possession of explosives with intent to endanger life and receiving training in the use of firearms and explosives.

He is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court later today.

The van which was being driven by McLaughlin.

A Derry man caught with four primed mortar bombs in the city last year has been jailed for 12 years at Belfast Crown Court.

Seamus McLaughlin, from Eastway Gardens in the Creggan area, admitted the possession of explosives with intent to endanger life and having articles for terrorist purposes.

The 37-year-old was the driver of a white Citroen Berlingo van stopped by police on Letterkenny Road on 3 March last year.

Police believe the four primed mortars discovered in the vehicle were intended to be fired at PSNI headquarters on Strand Road.

The court heard McLaughlin was wearing a dark jacket zipped up to his face with the hood up, a baseball cap over a woollen hat, gloves and plastic “overshoes.”

An improvised mortar system which included four launch tubes, four propelling units and four mortar bombs, containing a quantity of explosives, were secured in a frame and were ready for deployment.

A timing device was also found in the vehicle, as was a further device designed to destroy the van.

A hole had been cut in the roof of the van to enable the mortars to be fired.

The prosecutor also said that while the mortar device may have had a “crude element”, it was “nonetheless functional” and ready to be deployed.

McLaughlin was given an extended custodial sentence of 12 years in custody, followed by an extended period of five years on licence.

Eamon Bradley being taken into custody after appearing at a special sitting of Derry Magistrates Court on Saturday. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography.

The Derry man charged with attending an explosives and weapons training camp in Syria will today make a fresh bid to be released from custody.

Eamon Bradley (25), from Melmore Gardens in the Creggan Estate, was refused bail when he appeared at special sitting of Derry Magistrates Court on Saturday.

He had been arrested at his home the previous Thursday after returning the day before from Syria where, during police interviews, he admitted fighting in three battles against ISIL and the Assad regime.

Saturday’s court hearing also heard he told police he attended training camps under the control of Jaysh Al Islam (Army of Islam) and received weapons and explosives training and signed up to join the Mujahadeen.

The court was told he returned home after becoming “disillusioned.”

A detective sergeant from the PSNI’s Serious Crimes Branch objected to bail on the grounds that Bradley would abscond and because there was a risk that he would re-offend.

The officer said he also believed the defendant would attempt to radicalise young people here.

Defence solicitor Ciaran Harkin said the defendant had converted to Islam five years ago and had travelled to Syria to assist the Syrian people in the civil war.

Mr Harkin said the defendant had no previous convictions and had answered all the questions put to him by the police.

He said if refused bail the defendant could spend up to a year in custody awaiting any future trial.

Despite stating Bradley had been fighting against a “tyrannical and murderous regime,” Resident Magisrate Barney McElholm rejected the bail application.

Mr McElholm added: “No doubt the regime in Syria has committed gross atrocities and human rights violations throughout that conflict. I would find it very hard for a state to argue that fighting against ISIL is an act of terrorism.”

However, Mr McElholm said he was concerned as to why the defendant had not explained why he had returned to Northern Ireland.

He also said he had to take into consideration police fears that he accused might try to radicalise young people here or abscond.

Refusing bail, Mr McElholm said: “With some reluctance I am going to refuse bail and he does have the right to apply for bail to the High Court.”

Bradley remanded in custody to appear, via video link, at Derry Magistrates Court on 4 December.

Bradley is due to make his bail application at Royal Courts of Justice via video link from Magheraberry Prison this morning.