A 49-year-old Belfast man accused of possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances was bound for Enniskillen, the High Court has heard.
According to reports in court ammunition was found in the accused’s north Belfast flat and included types used in punishment shootings and assault rifles.
Just hours after police made the discovery on September 24 they arrested Stephen Jones, of Cliftonville Avenue, on a bus bound for Enniskillen at the Belfast Europa Bus Centre. Jones had purchased a one-way ticket.
A prosecution lawyer said he had only £3.95 on him and no clothes, belongings or credit cards.
Mr Jones was questioned over two days, denying knowledge of the bullets but claiming he was under threat from paramilitaries and had been set up.
He told police he had not gone on the run, but had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit a friend.
However, checks revealed this man had moved from Enniskillen to Dublin, the prosecution said.
He was refused bail due to fears he may flee or reoffend.
Police found a .22 rifle magazine, 29 rounds of various types of ammunition and a pair of latex gloves among socks in a bedroom drawer, the court heard.
A wall plaque and other paraphernalia linked to the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) were also found.
Opposing bail, the barrister raised issues over the safety and security of the general public.
Defence counsel said that it was not a case involving any actual guns, with the firearm possession charge based only on the magazine.
He contended that the republican material found at the flat was for a non-proscribed organisation involved in historic talks rather than any illegal activity.
Disputing claims that Mr Jones may flee if released, the lawyer said his client lacked the resources to ‘disappear off the face of the earth’.
But refusing bail, Mr Justice Deeny accepted prosecution submissions on the risks of absconding or reoffending.
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