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New IRA investigation: Six terror suspects appear in court | New IRA investigation: Six terror suspects appear in court |
(about 5 hours 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, both held in County Tyrone, with the intent of committing acts of terrorism. | They are also charged with being at two meetings, both held in County Tyrone, with the intent of committing acts of terrorism. |
One of the meetings took place close to the townland of Creggan, the other about a mile from the village of Gortin. | One of the meetings took place close to the townland of Creggan, the other about a mile from the village of Gortin. |
A senior police officer told the court that the two meetings were filmed and recorded by MI5, operating under the direction of the PSNI. | |
The six were charged as part of Operation Arbacia, which is targeting the New IRA, an organisation considered to be the largest dissident republican group. | |
So far, 10 people have been charged as part of the investigation. | |
On Saturday, two men, one from Lurgan and the other from Derry, appeared in court. | |
On Monday, a 49-year-old man from the Dungannon area and a 62-year-old man from Scotland became the ninth and 10th people to be charged. Both are due in court on Tuesday. | |
The 49-year-old has been charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism. | |
The 62-year-old man, who was detained at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, has been charged with preparatory acts of terrorism. | |
Entrapment claim | |
The six people who appeared in court on Monday via videolink were: | |
They are of belonging to a proscribed organisation, of directing terrorism and of being at two meetings with the intent of committing acts of terrorism. | |
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. |
'Longer-term investigation' | 'Longer-term investigation' |
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. | 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. | "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." | "They do not care about the communities they come from - they care for no one. They are reckless, manipulative and they exploit." |
The New IRA has been behind numerous attempted attacks on police officers and journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by a New IRA gunman while observing a riot in Derry on 18 April 2019. |