The scene in during the security operation in Ederowen Park in December
PROSECUTORS have failed in a bid to stop a Derry man charged over terrorist offences being freed on bail.
Gary Burke, 39, of Ederowen Park, Galliagh, has been on remand in Maghaberry prison since a police raid on his flat shortly before last Christmas.
He has been charged with possessing a timer power unit and arms propellant last December.
Last Friday, Burke was granted bail at Derry Magistrates’ Court.
But the public prosecution service have since appealed this decision to the High Court in Belfast.
Burke denies a charge of possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances.
Component parts for an improvised device were found in a cupboard under the stairs of the property at Ederowen Park.
Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin told Mr Justice Burgess said Burke had told police his fingerprints and DNA would not be found on the items.
The judge was told that other people had been obtaining housing benefit for the house.
Prosecutor James Johnston told the court: “There have been two live claims.”
Mr Justice Burgess agreed to grant bail but on condition that a relative agrees to put him up and a £1,500 cash surety is lodged before he can be set free from prison.
Last December, Derry Magistrates’ Court heard police found the components for a bomb during a search of a house this week in the city.
The court was told that during the search of a house in Ederowen Park, items were discovered in a bag in a cubby hole in the kitchen.
These items included components for a bomb and accelerant.
A detective from the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit said that Burke made no comment during police interview except to provide a pre-prepared statement.
The officer said they opposed bail due to the potential risk of further offences, protection of the public and the possibility of interference with witnesses.
Denying the charges, Burke made the case that he had no access to the cubby hole and hoped DNA and fingerprint evidence would clear him of the charges.
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