The threat was reported in detail as North Belfast gym owner Darren Service appeared in court on three counts related to bomb prank warnings at the John and Pat Hume Foundation event at 25 Houben Center in North Mar. . Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney had to be escorted from the facility by his security staff as a result of the terror bombing. The 40-year-old defendant, heading to Ballysillan Road, is charged with one count of “preparing terrorist acts”. He is also charged with hijacking a Ford Transit truck and further offense with placing an object near Church of the Holy Cross, 432 Crumlin Road, Belfast, in order to convince another person that it might have exploded or ignited; therefore cause injury or damage to property “. Service was arrested on Sunday by counterterrorism officers after he volunteered for an interview. He appeared in court via video. He was described in court as a “trusted member” of the organization that carried out the attack, namely the UVF. Linking him to the crime, the court was informed that .000 100,000 was found in a safe during searches at Mr Service’s home, along with two balaclava and three UVF pins. An air rifle was also found along with a small amount of cannabis. Disagreeing with the guarantee, the police said that a phone belonging to the victim of the hijacking together with his wallet containing his personal data were removed at that moment and has not yet been recovered. The court was also informed that Mr Service appears to be planning a revolt against the protocol on April 7 last year, to observe an uprising linked to tensions in which a bus was set on fire. They also said the incident at the Houben Center was linked to anti-protocol protests and ongoing escalation of worshipers’ activities, and that further bomb alerts had been issued following last Friday’s incident. That included a bomb alert at Warrenpoint and one on the train from Belfast to Dublin on Wednesday. Defense attorney Paul Bacon challenged police, saying his client owns a gym near Lanark Way and has never been questioned in connection with last year’s riots. He also said that his client owned three gyms and had applied for loans of more than .000 150,000 offered to businesses as a result of the Covid pandemic, adding that his client had given full consideration to his actions. The court heard Service claim the UVF signals were bought at a band parade because he liked the colors, but disputes any connection to the organization. The balaclava and the air rifle were used to hunt pigeons, while the cash came from savings, according to the Service account. A Detective Inspector said Mr Service could be linked to the case. He said the victim of the case was pirated by two masked gunmen, one wearing a red shirt. “The suspects threatened to shoot the IP (injured person) and harm his family if he did not follow the instructions. “They also took his mobile phone and wallet,” said the police officer. The court was informed that the driver of the van did as instructed and that he was “in distress” when he told the police officers who were at the scene what had happened. They checked the van and noticed what they thought was a bomb. The court was told that a gray Skoda was seen in the area of Sydney Street and was seen in the area with CCTV on the morning of the hijacking. “This incident is associated with unrest over the Northern Ireland protocol and the attack was due to the presence of the Irish Foreign Minister at the Houben Center on that date,” the detective said. The official also referred to press releases related to loyal paramilitaries, claiming that they would carry out attacks in relation to the protocol and the Irish ministers, saying in this context the UVF pins found in the house of the accused were “significant”. Mr Bacon, defending the defendant, challenged the police account, saying his client had “given a full account of the cash”. “He applied for three upside-down loans of £ 150,000,” said Mr Bacon. Defendant admitted to driving the gray Skoda, which was a courtesy car used in the repair of his car, but denied that his car was the same gray car recorded on a Ring door bell. The police opposed the guarantee on the grounds that Mr. Service had the means to evade jurisdiction and the means to intervene in justice and the risk of “influencing others” in relation to the case. The detective added that the accused’s phone was not found and refused to hand it over to the police. Continuing, the detective said there was a danger to “public order” citing press reports threatening Irish politicians and rising tensions in northern Belfast. “On Saturday the UVF claimed to have dropped a bomb on a bar in Warrenpoint which sounded a security alarm; loyal paramilitaries claimed to have dropped a bomb on a train traveling from Belfast to Dublin; again nothing was found. “We believe this indicates a possible, ongoing escalation and if this applicant is released on bail, there would be further risk.” Denying bail Deputy District Judge McStee said it was a “very serious matter with political motives.” “I find that there is a risk in this regard and it is not a risk of small interventions but very serious crimes” …
