AN ALLEGED high-ranking member of the Continuity IRA (CIRA) has again been refused bail on charges relating to the recovery of a firearm believed to be connected to shots fired at Enniskillen PSNI Station earlier this year.

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.

At a further bail application before Enniskillen Magistrates Court, the defence stressed Meehan had become paranoid after alleged attempts by the security forces to recruit him as an agent.

On March 13, police learned a male had contacted BBC Belfast stating: “This is the CIRA. A device has been left in Newtownbutler. This is not a hoax.”

A call to The Impartial Reporter claimed North Fermanagh CIRA had fired shots at Enniskillen PSNI Station and a device had been left, adding: “Clear the area.”

The Irish News also received a call stating the location of a bomb, and: “The PSNI are wrong [about the device location].”

Police discovered piping and a partly corroded shotgun cartridge, then an improvised shotgun containing a recently fired cartridge.

On March 19, The Impartial Reporter received another call, purportedly from the North Fermanagh CIRA, stating: “On direction of the army council” high-velocity rounds were fired.

The Newtownbutler issue was described as a “hoax ... military diversion so volunteers could attack Crown forces in Enniskillen ... 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, where several items including a phone were recovered.

Inside the phone’s battery section was a receipt on which was written the vehicle registration of a British Army captain.

In April, Meehan sent the message: “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.”

On May 6, another phone was found in Meehan’s home containing images of Enniskillen PSNI Station and where the device was located, although police accept he never touched it.

When arrested on May 25, Meehan gave a prepared statement in which he accepted photographing the police operation “for propaganda purposes, to expose the PSNI for not being able to locate the weapon”.

The vehicle registration was noted, he said, in the belief he was being followed, but police say this account is inaccurate.

The court was told: “Police believe he is a high-ranking CIRA member. He certainly associates with its members and is willing to carry out activity on their behalf.”

It has since emerged Meehan is held in Maghaberry’s Roe House – the separated wing for Republican prisoners.

His defence said he advised Meehan to apply to be placed in this wing for his own safety, and this should not be held against him.

Meehan, said the defence, made numerous reports around attempts by security forces to recruit him, which included cash being put through his letterbox.

“He had become paranoid, leading him to note the registration of the army captain, believing he was being followed. At no time did he share the details.”

But this was rejected by the prosecution as “there has been no explanation why he noted the details, secreted them in the battery compartment of a phone, then hid it in a door frame”.

Deputy District Judge John Connolly remarked: “This is a complex case, and I do not believe there are any bail conditions I can impose to address risk at this time.”

Meehan will appear again by video-link next month.