Man accused of PSNI officer murder bid must remain in prison

Peter Granaghan was refused bail on charges linked to a bomb found under the off-duty policeman’s car at a golf club in east Belfast last year.

Prosecutors claimed the 39-year-old could flee if released, citing his alleged association with a number of dissident republicans.

Granaghan, of Blackrock Park in Belleek, Co Fermanagh, is charged with attempted murder, as well as making and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life. He denies involvement in the thwarted attack.

The off-duty officer discovered the booby trap bomb below his car while it was parked at Shandon Park Golf Cub on June 1.

Granaghan is allegedly linked by partial DNA profiles on components of the bomb.

Concerns were also raised in court about Granaghan’s alleged association with up to six others, including Co Tyrone man Damien McLaughlin.

In June 2018 McLaughlin was cleared of charges linked to the November 2012 killing of prison officer David Black.

But at one stage, while on bail, the 43-year-old, from Kilmascally Road, Dungannon, went missing for nearly four months.

He was detained again in Co Donegal in March 2017, and extradited back to Northern Ireland for a trial which ultimately collapsed.

Opposing Granaghan’s bid to be released from custody, prosecution counsel argued that his alleged association with McLaughlin increased the risk of absconding.

District Judge George Conner refused bail and remanded Granaghan in custody for another four weeks.