Two men who are accused of aggravated burglary and attempting to steal four vehicles will face Crown Court proceedings later this year.
Both defendants appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Sean Caffrey, 28, of no fixed abode, is charged with aggravated burglary with intent to steal, going equipped for burglary, possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of a Class B drug, three counts of possession of Class C drugs, theft, attempted burglary, four counts of attempted theft of a vehicle and possession of criminal property.
Meanwhile, Niall Malone, 31, of Curran Road in Larne, faces charges of theft, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, attempted burglary with intent to steal, going equipped for burglary, aggravated burglary with intent and four counts of attempted theft of a vehicle.
As these charges were read, it was heard that all of the offences were alleged to have occurred on March 1, of last year.
Both defendants are accused of entering as a trespasser an address at Turmore Road in Newry with intent to steal with a weapon.
The two men are also alleged to have been in possession of articles linked to burglary, namely gloves.
Caffrey is accused of being in possession of a a claw hammer with intent to commit an indictable offence, namely burglary.
Meanwhile, Malone is alleged to have had a weapon, namely a hammer, in a public place.
Both men face allegations that they stole £5 cash and a digital radio of unknown value.
They are also jointly charged with attempting to steal four vehicles in the vicinity of Turmore Road in Newry.
Caffrey faces further drugs charges, with the controlled substances alleged to have been found in his possession named as cannabis, pregabalin, zoplicone and buprenorphine.
He is also accused of attempting to enter as a trespasser a property on Sheepstown Road, Newry, with intent to steal.
Appearing via videolink from their solicitors’ offices, both defendants made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence counsel for each made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Eamonn King said that he was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer.
Caffrey and Malone were released on continuing bail to appear before Newry Crown Court on April 13 for arraignment.
