A court has heard that the incident involving the attempted murder of two police officers in Strabane was a meticulously planned attack with the purpose of causing harm. Charlie Love, a 30-year-old resident of Bridge Street in Strabane, is facing charges related to a bomb attack on the police in County Tyrone on November 17, 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempting to murder members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), along with one count of causing an explosion likely to endanger life, and one count of possessing explosives with the intent to endanger life.
At Belfast Crown Court, the prosecution stated that Mr. Love’s DNA was found all over the device discovered at the scene. On the day of the incident, a police patrol in Strabane encountered a sudden flash and loud bang as they drove through the Mount Carmel Heights area. Further investigations revealed a crater at a building site, with forensic tests indicating the use of a military-grade explosive. Additionally, a command wire leading to a suspected firing point near a tree stump was located. Various items tested, such as the trigger of the firing mechanism, the drill, and the command wire, all matched Mr. Love’s DNA profile.
Following the aftermath, Mr. Love was apprehended on Derry Road the next day but remained silent during four rounds of questioning in his interviews. He was initially released on November 20 but was re-arrested on December 13 after DNA results were provided. Despite being presented with incriminating evidence, he maintained his refusal to respond to any queries. In a prepared statement, Mr. Love claimed that he had been approached by an individual associated with Saoradh, a political entity tied to the New IRA, who requested him to take a drill to waste ground at Mount Carmel Heights on the day of the explosion.
Moreover, the court heard that Mr. Love’s partner, Symone Murphy, who resides at the same address, is facing charges for withholding information that could assist terrorists. The prosecution alleged that Ms. Murphy was aware of Mr. Love’s absence from their home during the time of the explosion and would have known that this information was relevant to the ensuing police inquiry. The trial is ongoing with further proceedings ahead
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