Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PSNI close to Ronan Kerr charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find

PSNI constable Kerr was killed by a booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.

POLICE INVESTIGATING THE murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr have said that they believe they are close to making further charges.

The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.

Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.

image

Gavin Coyle, who was today sentenced to 10 years, leaving Dungannon Magistrates Court in 2011. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:

Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.

“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.

PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.

The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.

Coalisland guns and explosive seizure

The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five on licence.

The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of  Kerr in April 2011.

Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.

Ronan Kerr investigation
1 / 6
  • Ronan Kerr investigation

    Assault rifle from Mountjoy Road seizure
  • Ronan Kerr investigation

    A bomb timer power unit also found.
  • Ronan Kerr investigation

    An incendiary device.
  • Ronan Kerr investigation

    Exterior of premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland in April 2011
  • Ronan Kerr investigation

    Interior of premises and what police found there
  • Ronan Kerr investigation

    Source: Niall Carson / PA Wire

All pictures from PSNI.

Read: Ronan Kerr murder probe: Man arrested as further searches carried out >

Read: Police investigating Ronan Kerr murder carry out searches >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
32 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clyde Doyle
    Favourite Clyde Doyle
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 4:52 PM

    Always thought those claims were a little sketchy…

    180
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nialllateshow
    Favourite Nialllateshow
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 5:49 PM

    Typical American culture . They would lose weight by the very nature they might get up off their asses and do some walking in the damn things !

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nialllateshow
    Favourite Nialllateshow
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 5:51 PM

    What sort of fool thinks shoes alone make you lose weight ? Oh right I’ll get the trainers and sit on the sofa eating nachos . If used for the purpose designed they can only be good .

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mart_n
    Favourite mart_n
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 5:07 PM

    My orthopedic surgeon actually recommended those Shape-Up shoes to me after a knee op. The curve of the sole is supposed to stop you from placing too much strain on any one part of the knee when standing for prolonged periods of time. I have to say, they seemed to do the trick for me.

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Dunne
    Favourite Bernadette Dunne
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 9:44 PM

    I had a hip repair at the age of 52 and I found the these were the making of me I can walk so well with them I have not worn anything else since in almost 2 years and my recovery was so much easier because of the shape. I was using a stick to walk and was getting pain on short walks but within about 3-4 weeks I could walk for about an hour2 years on has anyone got any suggestions for my shoulder had a repair done with that but my sketchers will not fit the shoulder

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Gormley
    Favourite Dave Gormley
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 6:26 PM

    Will there ever be a day when politicians can be fined for false and misleading claims?
    :)

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Dunne
    Favourite Bernadette Dunne
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 9:56 PM

    We wish

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shaun Hogan
    Favourite Shaun Hogan
    Report
    May 17th 2012, 6:02 AM

    Was reading through the comments and thought to myself its nice not to read a post tying this article to the government and then I came across your one! ok ya we get it the government is shit but do ye need to constantly give out about them on unrelated articles?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jon S W Rainey
    Favourite Jon S W Rainey
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 8:28 PM

    Yip I wear nothing but MBTs or Skechers since getting 2 new hips and 2 new knees and am flying on them. Regular flat sole shoes puts way too much stress on the join and leaves muscles mort fatigued. They are pricey, but you can always shop about!

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Murray
    Favourite Kieran Murray
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 5:16 PM

    I don’t think companies in Ireland can get fined for misleading or false claims in adverts. Advertising Authority can only make them withdraw their adverts

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Dunne
    Favourite Bernadette Dunne
    Report
    May 16th 2012, 10:04 PM

    But they did work for me I would not wear anything else now I have A pair of the shape up runners a black pair of black and a pair of White shoes all shape ups and I have 3 pair of the flip flops. So so comfortable and as someone said in an earlier post you can only shape up by doing exercise by getting up off the chair and doing some but I found that my sketchers help a great deal because I find them to be so comfortable

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus McDermott
    Favourite Seamus McDermott
    Report
    May 17th 2012, 2:41 AM

    I wear Mephistos. They help me to lose weight because I have to work so many more hours to pay for them.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Duffy
    Favourite Declan Duffy
    Report
    May 17th 2012, 8:35 AM

    Sketchers don’t really care. The have dropped that shoe and are at it again with a new range of ‘conceptual shoes’. They probably make more than $40m profit in Irl & UK alone.

    The US trade commission will probably go after Reebok Easytone next. Their ads were banned for the same reason. Apparently all their claims were based on a survey that one guy was paid to write.

    The only footwear company who seem to have genuine scientific research is a small Swiss science company called SpringBoost, but they run the risk of vanishing into obscurity because they don’t have the marketing clout to cope with these big footwear companies dodgy advertising. Apparently, im some country’s you can get SpringBoost on the local VHI health scheme. Can’t see that happening in Ireland.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Murphy
    Favourite Brian Murphy
    Report
    May 17th 2012, 12:39 AM

    Shite shoes

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Togher
    Favourite Mick Togher
    Report
    May 17th 2012, 10:32 AM

    great shoes 40euros in barrets in town

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marcella Treacy
    Favourite Marcella Treacy
    Report
    May 17th 2012, 8:36 AM

    I thought that was they were supposed to do??! My bad!!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds