Strabane man appears in court charged with being member of RAAD

A Strabane man, described by police as “a main player” in terror group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD), has been remanded in custody.
47-year-old Jim McGettigan of Urney Road, Strabane appeared in court today charged with providing property for the purposes of terrorism.
He was arrested in Strabane last Thursday.
The charge is based around a photograph handed to the Strabane Chronicle by RAAD last year.
The image, showing five masked men flanking a hooded and bound individual was passed to the Chronicle last May, days after the shooting of an alleged drug dealer.
The chilling image also shows a large display of ammunition, drugs and shotguns.
In court today, Mr McGettigan, wearing jeans and a grey jumper, spoke only to confirm he understood the charge before.
Outlining the basis for the charge, a PSNI constable told the court that it was their belief that one of the masked men was in fact the defendant.
The officer explained that a forensic examination of the eyes of one of the masked men had been identified as those of Mr McGettigan.
It is further alleged that the image was taken in the basement of the defendant’s then home at Derry Road, Strabane.
The property was searched on February 24 this year and police believe they can connect it to the basement captured in the RAAD photograph.
District Judge Mr Liam McNally agreed that their was enough evidence before him to deny bail.
Jim McGettigan was remanded in custody until September 26 when he will appear again at Strabane Court via video link.