An alleged high-ranking member of the Continuity IRA (CIRA) has appeared in court following the recovery of a firearm believed to be connected to shots fired at Enniskillen PSNI Station on March 17.

The arrest occurred in the course of an investigation sparked by sinister calls to media outlets using a recognised code word.

Gabriel Paul Meehan (42) from Pound Street, Irvinestown is charged with having a shotgun, and ammunition, two mobile phones, and details of a vehicle belonging to a member of the security forces.

A detective chief inspector told Strabane Magistrates Court the charges, which allegedly occurred between March and May could be connected.

It was explained on March 13, police learned a male had contacted BBC Belfast stating: “This is the CIRA. A device has been left on the Newtownbutler to Clones Road on the Fermanagh Border. This is not a hoax.”

Two days later The Impartial Reporter was contacted by a male claiming to be from North Fermanagh CIRA, who stated shots had been fired at Enniskillen Police Station and a device left adding: “Clear the area."

On March 16, The Irish News also received a call from North Fermanagh CIRA stating the location of a bomb and “the PSNI are wrong.”

Acting on this, police discovered two pieces of piping and a partly corroded shotgun cartridge.

An improvised shotgun was then located containing a recently fired 12 gauge cartridge

On March 19, The Impartial Reporter received a further call stating: “On March 14, the North Fermanagh CIRA on direction of the army council carried out an attack on Enniskillen Police Station. Volunteers fired high velocity rounds from an improvised explosive device. The hoax device placed in Newtownbutler was a military diversion so volunteers could attack crown forces in Enniskillen. We are not here to harm civilians and the PSNI knew of the device for two days. The only people going to get hurt are crown forces in Enniskillen.”

Meehan’s house was searched on March 30 during which several items were seized. This included a phone recovered from a hide in Meehan’s bedroom. Inside the phone’s battery section police found a receipt on which was written the vehicle car registration of a captain in the British Army Reserve.

Examination of the phone revealed calls and messages between Meehan and two other suspects, one of whom he was attempting to meet.

A second search on May 6 located another phone containing images of all sides of Enniskillen Police Station, along with the route to it and where the device was located.

There were also messages between Meehan and another male currently under investigation by An Garda Siochana for IRA membership.

In April, Meehan sent a message which read: “I’m walking away from nothing. I’m dedicated to what I’m doing and I enjoy working with RSF. You’re all my family now, if you will have me.”

Police say while Meehan saw the device and took a picture of it, they accept he neither fired nor touched it.

He was arrested on May 25, answering no questions during interview but handed over a prepared statement.

He admitted taking images of the police operation: “For propaganda purposes as he wanted to expose the PSNI for not being able to locate the weapon.”

In respect of the car registration Meehan claimed to have taken a note of this believing he was being followed, but police say this account is inaccurate.

Opposing bail, the detective said when Meehan’s home was searched on May 6, officers discovered a packed bag with his passport on top. Evidence on his phone included offers of financial support and accommodation.

The defence stressed Meehan assures he has left Republican Sinn Fein and wants to concentrate on his young children.

But the prosecution said: “Police believe he is a high-ranking member of the CIRA. He certainly associates with its members and is willing to carry out activity on their behalf. We say there was only one reason he had the vehicle details and there is a significant risk to public safety. No amount of bail conditions could obviate the risks.”

Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare threw out the application noting offending was allegedly ongoing even while the investigation was underway.

He remanded Meehan in custody to appear by video-link at Enniskillen Magistrates Court next month.