Four deny arms smuggling charges

Four people have appeared in Belfast Magistrates' Court today charged with helping the IRA to import guns and ammunition into the UK.

The two men and two women are alleged to have been involved in the gun smuggling operation which was uncovered by security forces in both the UK and the United States in June 2000.

The accused were named as Sean Burns, 26, from Belfast, and Paul Scott, 34, Patricia O'Kane, 26, and Maria Brogan, 27, who are all from Dunloy.

All four were remanded in custody to appear in court again on December 20.

The four were arrested on Tuesday along with two other people who failed to turn up to court. The police said a report had been sent to the director of public prosecutions about the man and woman who did not appear in court.

The operation which led to the charges began in 1999 when guns and their components parts were found by postal staff in Coventry.

US federal agents also uncovered a number of weapons mailed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in packages disguised as toys and electronic equipment before more weapons where intercepted by police at Birmingham airport and by Gardai in the Republic of Ireland.

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