THREE men charged in connection with the find of a suspected firearm in Enniskillen have been remanded in custody.
The trio of Albanian nationals were arrested at Dublin Road in the Fermanagh town last Friday, after police found a “suspected gas-powered handgun” in the jeep they were travelling in.
Lorenc Dashi (34), of Dublin Road, Cavan, and Hoxha Mariglen (21) and Arlind Rrapaj (22), both of no fixed abode in Dublin, are all charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a suspected gas-powered handgun, and possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances on March 3, 2017.
Meanwhile, Dashi is further charged with obstructing police and driving without insurance or a licence at Dublin Road, Enniskillen.
Before the three men were brought before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday morning, it emerged that there was no Albanian interpreter available for the hearing.
District judge Nigel Broderick observed that it was “unsatisfactory, to say the least” and said that extra effort needed to be made to make sure that an interpreter was available.
When the three men were led into the dock, they listened as the charges were read out.
The older defendant, whom the court heard had “basic” English, translated for his two co-accused.
A PSNI detective constable told the court that she was aware of the facts and circumstances in the case and believed that she could connect the defendants to all the charges.
Solicitor David Buchanan, representing Dashi, and barrister Michael Ward, acting on behalf of Mariglen and Rrapaj, both indicated that they would not be making bail applications.
Mr Ward told the court that both of his clients had come to Dublin three weeks ago from Europe and had claimed refugee status. He explained that they were being monitored by the Irish authorities.
The barrister said that the two men had been through an initial screening interview and had been given temporary leave to remain in the Republic of Ireland.
He said that his clients had been passengers in the vehicle and denied any knowledge of the firearm, which the detective said had been found under the floor in the rear of the jeep-type vehicle.
Mr Ward told the court that both of his clients had indicated that they didn’t realise that they had crossed the border and were “surprised” that they were in the north.
The detective confirmed that immigration authorities in the UK had been aware of the situation and enquiries were “ongoing”.
District judge Broderick observed that he would have to remand the three defendants in custody in the absence of any bail applications, adding that there were “live issues” in the case relating to addresses, immigration status and the charges that they are facing.
The trio are due to appear in court again on Monday, March 20, via videolink from Maghaberry prison.
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