A NEWTOWNBUTLER woman who was caught with 10 suspected petrol bombs in her garden shed has been banned from attending band parades.
Joanne Ralph (29) of Mill Head Road appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday charged with possession of petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances, and possession of articles for use with petrol bombs.
On August 10th, police stopped a car in Dungannon and found the smell of cannabis coming from the car which Ralph was driving. Police searched the car and found cannabis in a bag and in a compartment of the car.
Police then carried out a search of Ralph’s house in Newtownbutler and found more cannabis but when police searched a wooden shed at the property, they found ten suspected petrol bombs.
The court heard that the petrol bombs were made from beer bottles, and were ready to be ignited with a rag on top of them, and an image of the items was shown in court.
The court heard that the house is a small terrace house, and Ralph is a mother of one.
The officer explained that during the police interview, Ralph read out a short prepared statement and denied any involvement or knowledge of the items, and added that various people had access to her garden and house, but did not directly refer to the shed.
The police officer explained that efforts were made to establish who had access to the property but no comment was made and she was not forthcoming with any information.
The court heard that there was a latch on the shed door but it was not known if it had been locked, and forensics will be done in due course.
Objecting to bail, the officer said that the petrol bombs were ready to be used, and added that there was a Royal Black Parade in Newtownbutler on Sunday evening.
He added that the police were following two lines of enquiry, drugs and the parade.
He added that police could not rule out that the petrol bombs were not prepared for the parade in Newtownbutler, and asked for Ralph to be prohibited from attending any band parade or Loyal Order parade.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said this was an ‘unusual find’ and an unusual type of case.
Judge Broderick also referred to the fact that there was no lock on the shed door.
When setting out the bail conditions, Judge Broderick prohibited Ralph from talking to anyone else who may be involved in the case and
also from being within 100 metres of any band parade or Loyal Order parade.
Judge Broderick released Ralph on her own bail of £500 and £500 surety from her mother, and ordered her to report to the police once a week, and adjourned the case until September 9th.
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