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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| New IRA investigation: Six terror suspects appear in court | New IRA investigation: Six terror suspects appear in court |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Six people have appeared in court charged under the Terrorism Act. | Six people have appeared in court charged under the Terrorism Act. |
| They were arrested as part of a major PSNI and MI5 investigation into dissident republican group the New IRA. | They were arrested as part of a major PSNI and MI5 investigation into dissident republican group the New IRA. |
| All six have been accused of belonging to a proscribed organisation and of directing terrorism. | All six have been accused of belonging to a proscribed organisation and of directing terrorism. |
| They are also charged with being at two meetings, one in Sixmilecross in February and another in Omagh in July, with the intent of committing acts of terrorism. | They are also charged with being at two meetings, one in Sixmilecross in February and another in Omagh in July, with the intent of committing acts of terrorism. |
| A senior police officer told the court those meetings were filmed and recorded by MI5, operating under the direction of the PSNI. | A senior police officer told the court those meetings were filmed and recorded by MI5, operating under the direction of the PSNI. |
| Appearing in court via videolink were: | Appearing in court via videolink were: |
| Mr McLaughlin is also charged with conspiracy to possess explosives including a quantity of Semtex and conspiracy to possess 100 rounds of ammunition. | Mr McLaughlin is also charged with conspiracy to possess explosives including a quantity of Semtex and conspiracy to possess 100 rounds of ammunition. |
| Defence lawyers alleged there was entrapment and claimed in court that one man who has has not been charged was operating as an undercover agent for MI5. | Defence lawyers alleged there was entrapment and claimed in court that one man who has has not been charged was operating as an undercover agent for MI5. |
| All six were remanded in custody. | All six were remanded in custody. |
| Operation Arbacia is targeting the New IRA, which is considered to be the largest dissident republican group and has been behind numerous attempted attacks on police officers. | Operation Arbacia is targeting the New IRA, which is considered to be the largest dissident republican group and has been behind numerous attempted attacks on police officers. |
| Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by a New IRA gunman while observing a riot in Derry on 18 April 2019. | Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by a New IRA gunman while observing a riot in Derry on 18 April 2019. |
| So far, 10 people have been arrested as part of the investigation. | So far, 10 people have been arrested as part of the investigation. |
| On Saturday, two men, one from Lurgan and the other from Derry, appeared in court. | On Saturday, two men, one from Lurgan and the other from Derry, appeared in court. |
| On Monday afternoon, a 49-year-old man from the Dungannon area was charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism. | On Monday afternoon, a 49-year-old man from the Dungannon area was charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism. |
| He is due to appear in court on Tuesday. | He is due to appear in court on Tuesday. |
| 'Longer-term investigation' | 'Longer-term investigation' |
| A 10th person, who was detained at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, is still being questioned. | |
| On Monday afternoon, the PSNI said Operation Arbacia will continue into the longer term. | On Monday afternoon, the PSNI said Operation Arbacia will continue into the longer term. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray told a press conference that the operation "did not start last week, nor will it end this week". | Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray told a press conference that the operation "did not start last week, nor will it end this week". |
| She added: "It is a longer-term investigation which will look into every aspect of the activities of the New IRA in its entirety. | |
| "Time and time again we have seen the New IRA does not care who it hurts or what it destroys. | |
| "They do not care about the communities they come from - they care for no one. They are reckless, manipulative and they exploit." |