The armour had been stolen from a garage a few days beforehand and the court heard that during searches of the property, quantities of diazepam, cannabis, crack cocaine and crystal meth were recovered
Four Co Antrim men have appeared in court accused of burglary where they allegedly stole a medieval suit of armour.
Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Saturday, each of the men confirmed their identities and that they understood the respective charges against them, alleged to have been committed between February 1 and 5 this year.
The four defendants are:
- Javin McClure, 30, from Brackenberg Avenue, Ballycarry – burglary, criminal damage, possessing cannabis, going equipped for burglary with a pitchfork shaft and a balaclava;
- Ryan McGowan, 38, Beechmount Avenue, Belfast – burglary, handling the stolen medieval suit of armour, possessing Class C diazepam;
- Alan Humphrys, 37, Ballysnod Road, Larne – possessing Class A crack cocaine, going equipped for theft or burglary with a pitchfork shaft, a further charge of going equipped relating to counterfeit cash, fraudulent use of a vehicle registration mark;
- James McKay, 22, Inverview Road, Larne – burglary and possessing Class A crystal meth.
Giving evidence to the court, a police officer said he believed he could connect each of the defendants to the charges.
During applications for bail, he outlined how officers investigating an unrelated matter had attended an address on Toberwine Street in Glenarm.
When police arrived, they saw McKay, McClure and McGowan carrying a large blue holdall down steps at the rear of the property and when officers looked inside, they found the medieval suit of armour, said to be worth around £500.
The armour had been stolen from a garage at Inverview in Larne a few days beforehand and the court heard that during searches of the property, quantities of diazepam, cannabis, crack cocaine and crystal meth were recovered.
While police were at the property, Humphrys arrived and the court heard that although he does not live at the address, the 37-year-old is the registered occupier.
Humphrys’ defence solicitor Ciaran Maguire emphasised that he “allows friends and acquaintances to stay at the property.”
“It’s the type of property where people come and go and it’s not uncommon that some of those people have substance misuse issues,” the solicitor told the court.
He suggested that Humphrys did not know anything about the burglary, the contents of the hold-all or indeed, what drugs had been found in the house.
Mr Maguire further suggested that the police have “made the jump” that because the armour was in the bag, they have decided to charge with the burglary as well.
As regards McClure, the lawyer argued that he could be freed on bail, subject to conditions, to live with his father in Ballyclare.
Refusing bail however, District Judge Suzanne Rice said she had “no confidence” the pair would adhere to bail conditions so along with McGowan, Humphrys and McClure were remanded in custody to 19 February.
McKay also applied for bail and after defence counsel Grant Powles emphasised that he had a clear record, Judge Rice said he could be released but with conditions that he has to reside at an approved address and has no contact with the co-accused or the complainant.
His case was also adjourned to February 19.
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date:2026-02-07 20:02:00