Belfast man to face trial on bomb hoax and threat to kill charges

A man is to stand trial accused of a campaign of hoax bomb warnings in a Belfast neighbourhood, a judge has ordered.
Karl McCartan faces 12 counts of communicating false information causing belief of an explosionKarl McCartan faces 12 counts of communicating false information causing belief of an explosion
Karl McCartan faces 12 counts of communicating false information causing belief of an explosion

Karl McCartan allegedly made a series of 999 calls claiming devices had been left in the Markets area of the city.

The 35-year-old, of Stewart Street in Belfast, is further accused of telling an emergency services operator of a threat to kill four drug dealers.

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McCartan appeared before the city’s Magistratres’ Court to determine if the case against him should proceed.

He faces 12 counts of communicating false information causing belief of an explosion, and an additional charge of making a threat to kill.

The alleged offences were committed over an 11-day period in October last year.

A defence lawyer did not contest prosecution submissions that McCartan has a case to answer.

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The accused declined to give evidence or call witnesses at this stage.

Granting a prosecution application, District Judge Fiona Bagnall ordered him to be returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court.

McCartan was released on continuing bail until that hearing gets under way on a date to be fixed.

He is to abide by conditions including a ban on using the 999 system except in an emergency, and must also surrender his mobile phone for examination if requested by police.

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