Pipe bombs discovered day after GAA club security alert, court hears

A court has heard how two pipe bomb type devices left on cars at pitches used by East Belfast GAA club were only discovered the following day.

The jury, of seven men and five women, has been sworn in for the trial of a 58-year old man on charges arising from a security alert at the Henry Jones playing fields in Castlereagh on 5 August 2020.

John Wilson, from Lower Braniel Road in Belfast, is charged with possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances on 5 August 2020, charges he denied at Belfast Crown Court in June 2024.

On Tuesday, the court heard witness statements from people whose cars were targeted.

Pipe bombs were left on the bonnets of their cars at the Henry Jones playing fields.

The prosecution began outlining its case at Belfast Crown Court, describing it as a "nakedly sectarian" case.

A senior KC prosecutor said: "These were crude devices and they would not have been effective if they detonated.

"The offences in this case were nakedly sectarian which raises passions in Northern Ireland."

East Belfast GAA club was set up in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The court was read a statement from one male witness whose car was one of those targeted.

He was at there to take part in training with East Belfast GAA club and stated the car park was so busy, he parked on a grass verge.

He was aware of the security alert but was able to drive his car home, giving two others a lift, as it wasn't in the main car park.

It was not until after 14:00BST the following day, after receiving a number of messages about the alert, that he checked his vehicle.

He found an object on the windscreen where it joins with the bonnet.

It was wrapped in silver duct tape with a bolt at one end and a wire at the other. He drove to Strandtown police station to report it to police.

A second man, also a member of East Belfast GAA club, made a similar discovery the day after the alert. He found a silver cylindrical object on his bonnet, drove to a quiet location and called the police.

In a statement read to the court, he said he found the incident "extremely distressing".

999 call

A third member of the club, alerted by the other discoveries, found an item on her car bonnet near her windscreen.

It was a screwdriver with the appearance of a pipe bomb type device. She expressed concerns that the incident would put people off joining the club.

The court was told that on 5 August a call was made from a payphone outside a pharmacy on the Ballygowan Road.

Audio of the 999 call was played to the court.

In a muffled voice, a man said: "There's four pipe bombs at the Henry Jones playing fields, one is in the bin on the right hand side."

Prosecuting counsel told the court a silver van captured on CCTV in the forecourt of the pharmacy is "connected" to Mr Wilson.

The phone box was not covered by CCTV.

Mr Wilson was arrested at his home and during a search, a number of items were recovered.

Messages read out in court

A number of messages taken from Mr Wilson's phone were read to the court, including one from Facebook messenger which read: "What's happening with this GAA? Surely something needs to be done."

A text sent from Mr Wilson's phone read: "I have a plan LOL".

He also sent messages trying to arrange to meet people at the pitches while the club was training.

The court was also read a message from Mr Wilson to loyalist activist Jamie Bryson sent in June 2020, shortly after East Belfast GAA club was set up: "Ok mate, do you know anything about a GAA club at Malone rugby club?"

Jamie Bryson responded: "Heard bit about it, think Linda Ervine is involved, surprise surprise."

Mr Wilson responded: "Surely that can't go ahead right in the middle of Cregagh?"

No response was noted.

He also sent messages to DUP MLA Joanne Bunting complaining about parking at the site and that the club had not booked the grounds properly.

In a police interview, Mr Wilson submitted a prepared statement saying he denied all the offences and said the messages were attempts to arrange a football match with friends.

The court was told no fingerprints matching Mr Wilson's were lifted from any items recovered or one of the cars.

DNA samples taken were too weak to be analysed and gloves located in the silver van were examined for explosives residue but nothing of significance was found.

A club official gave evidence to the court about the origins of the GAA club.

He told the court it was about sport, and including all communities in Northern Ireland.

He agreed the club had been targeted a number of times including incidents where graffiti had been sprayed and glass left on pitches.

He said: "We just wanted to bring people together and that's really spoken to people - that's why they continue to show up."

The trial continues.