Lives at risk in Larne feud, claims PSNI as accused refused bail
THERE is a real fear lives will be lost in a feud in Larne, a PSNI officer told a judge.
The revelation came at Antrim Magistrates Court, where 35-year-old Stephen Paul Lynch was yesterday charged with an arson attack last Sunday.
Lynch’s silver Peugeot 206 car was driven into a house and set on fire, causing significant damage to the property and gutting the vehicle.
Objecting to bail, a detective constable claimed Lynch was “involved in the UVF” and said police had “real fears that, if released, lives will be lost”.
Standing in the dock wearing a grey T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, factory worker Lynch confirmed that he understood the four charges against him.
Lynch, from Shanlea Drive in Larne, is charged with committing arson with intent to endanger the lives of Bill Russell and Gillian Burnett at a house on the Killyglen Road in the town; wasting police time by making a false report; intimidation of Ms BurMoore nett and two children, and making a threat to kill Mr Russell — all alleged to have occurred on April 23.
He is the second man with alleged links to the UVF in Larne to appear in court this week after Alan Cowan (41) was granted bail at Coleraine court on Monday, accused of having a butterfly knife and an extendible baton.
Two other men aged 23 and 32, who were arrested after the Killyglen Road attack, have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Lodging yesterday’s bail application, defence barrister Neil revealed Lynch accepted using his own car in the arson attack, but denied intimidation and making threats to kill.
In her evidence, a detective constable said she believed she could connect Lynch to the crimes and police were objecting to bail. She said police had seized CCTV footage which showed Lynch “driving his car into the front of the property” and getting out of the crashed vehicle.
“He appears unsteady on his feet and he disappears off screen but returns and appears to shout at the property and kicks the front window,” said the detective, adding that he then sets fire to his own jacket in the front passenger footwell.
Five minutes after police received a call about the fire, Lynch called the PSNI to report his car stolen, she told the court.
“The incident at the Killyglen Road shows he has a total disregard for his own safety and the safety of the public,” she added.
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter said he was refusing bail. Lynch is due to appear before Ballymena court on May 18 via video-link.