Man accused of Caldwell attempted murder refused bail again

A Co Tyrone man facing charges including the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell was refused bail today.

Brian John Carron made the unsuccessful application to be released from custody at Belfast Crown Court.

From Claremount Drive in Coalisland, the 40-year old attended the hearing via a videolink with HMP Maghaberry.

He has been charged with, and has denied, five terrorist-related offences which the Crown allege were committed on a date unknown between October 31, 2010 and April 6, 2011.

These charges include possessing explosives with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm with intent and possessing articles for use in terrorism.

Carron is also one of a number of men charged with the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell, who was shot and seriously wounded in the grounds of a sports centre in Omagh in February 2023. He has also been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

In addition, Carron is facing further charges of preparing terrorist acts and possessing explosives in May 2023 which arose when he was arrested for the attempted murder of the now-retired police officer.

During today’s bail application, a Crown barrister told Mr justice O’Hara that bail has been refused on two previous occasions.

Revealing the Crown was once again objecting to Carron’s release, the prosecutor said this was on the grounds that there was a “significant risk of re-offending that cannot be managed.”

In his address to the senior judge, defence barrister Michael Ford spoke of “weaknesses” in the three separate cases against his client and said Carron has now been in custody for two years.

Regarding the charges dating back to February 2023, Mr Ford said a Preliminary Enquiry had not yet been held in the Magistrates Court and that it was “highly unlikely” this would be heard this year.

He added that due to the volumes of papers in the complex case, it was his view that the trial may not be held until 2027 “at best.”

Regarding the Crown’s concerns about re-offending, Mr Ford said that if Carron was granted bail he would be “acutely aware that if there are any breaches, and certainly if there were any allegations of further offences being committed, it’s highly, highly, highly unlikely that he would be re-released on bail.”

The defence barrister added that both Carron’s mother and a friend were prepared to provide a cash surety and that, if released, Carron would live with his parents and abide by any conditions imposed.

Mr Ford concluded his submissions by telling Mr Justice O’Hara the “primary concern” was the length of time it may take it get to trial, and added: “We say Mr Carron, at this two-year point, is very much a suitable candidate for bail.”

Following this, Mr Justice O’Hara said he accepted Carron’s criminal record was “very limited” and also acknowledged the concerns raised by the defence.

He did, however, speak of concerns regarding Carron’s alleged involvement in the attempted murder of DCI Caldwell in February 2023 and of further alleged offending in May 2023 when he was arrested for the gun attack on the police officer.

Saying he was “sufficiently concerned about further offending” if Carron was release, Mr Justice O’Hara said: “Bail is refused.”