A 48-year-old man has been refused bail after appearing in court charged with attempting to detonate a bomb at Lurgan police station. Barry Anthony Toman, of Drumnamoe Avenue, Lurgan, faces allegations including attempted murder and possession of explosives with intent to endanger life.

The charges relate to an incident on 30 March when a pizza delivery driver arrived at the station gates and told security there was a bomb in his car. Police told Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday that the driver had been hijacked earlier that evening after a false delivery order was placed. The explosive device, which failed to detonate, was described by ammunition technical officers as viable and contained shrapnel with jars of flammable liquid.

A police officer giving evidence said DNA examination had connected Toman to several component parts of the device. The court heard that a mobile phone used to order the pizza had been topped up eight days beforehand by a 15-year-old, who has been referred to prosecutors. CCTV footage showed two individuals emerging from an alleyway near Deramore Drive before hijacking the driver, with one man seen carrying the device from the alley and placing it in the car boot.

The defence solicitor, Peter Corrigan, argued the DNA evidence was incomplete and that CCTV did not link his client to the incident. He also noted the teenager's description of the person who directed the top-up purchase did not match Toman, and that searches of his home found no relevant mobile phones or clothing. Mr Corrigan said bail could be granted with conditions including a curfew and electronic tagging.

The court was told Toman has nine previous relevant convictions, including a 2002 sentence for possession of explosives with intent after a bomb was placed under a military vehicle. Police said items found in his home linked him to protests alongside others convicted of terrorist offences. An officer also claimed Toman was connected to a bomb attack on a police station claimed by a dissident republican group in recent weeks.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan, sitting at Craigavon, said there was a prima facie case based on DNA evidence and other circumstances. He noted the defendant's record suggested a certain proclivity and ruled the risk of further offending could not be managed on bail. Toman was remanded in custody and the case adjourned to 24 July.