Four men from Northern Ireland will stand trial on terrorism charges after a judge rejected defence attempts to have the case thrown out.

The accused are Brian Francis Cavlan (50), of Corrainey Park, Dungannon; Peter Thomas Granaghan (45), of Gurteen Road, Garrison; John Emmet Maguire (43), of Station Road, Enniskillen; and Rory Martin Logan (44), of Ross Close, Enniskillen. All four are charged with preparing for acts of terrorism by assisting logistical planning and preparation intended for the possession of explosive substances. Maguire and Logan face additional counts of unlawfully and maliciously possessing or controlling a radio-controlled explosively formed projectile, with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury. The alleged offending occurred between June 3 and June 8, 2024.

At Omagh Magistrates Court, defence lawyers challenged the prosecution evidence and argued the case should be dismissed. A prosecuting barrister outlined the evidence and asserted there was a case to answer. District Judge Conor Heaney ruled the case was sound and ordered proceedings to continue. None of the accused spoke during the hearing or called witnesses.

A detective sergeant previously told the court that Maguire and Logan allegedly travelled to Cullies Cemetery in County Cavan on June 8, 2024, where they collected a radio-controlled explosively formed projectile. They then transported the device to a disused nightclub near the Carrickdale Hotel in County Louth. The device contained 300 grams of military-grade high explosive and was designed to penetrate armoured vehicles. Satellite navigation data showed the vehicle made anti-surveillance movements, passing the cemetery four times before the device was picked up. Police said the device was cleanly wrapped, indicating recent placement. Mobile phones belonging to Maguire and Logan were switched on during the journey but were not used until they returned.

On June 4, 2024, Granaghan and Cavlan are alleged to have travelled in a car from Belleek, County Fermanagh, to County Cavan, where they passed on precise information about where the device would be left. The prosecution say DNA, fingerprints, financial records, CCTV, and automatic number plate recognition link the men to the vehicle. The detective described the actions as fundamental, stating that without them the device would not have been moved on June 8. Both men remained silent throughout police interviews lasting over seven hours.

Judge Heaney remanded all four on continuing bail to appear for arraignment at Laganside Crown Court on a date to be fixed. The trial is expected to be heard without a jury.