New IRA ‘terrorist’ is arrested at Heathrow after swoop on meeting in Northern Ireland and charging of men with conspiracy to possess explosives
- The man, aged 62, was arrested at Heathrow Airport under the Terrorism Act
- Arrested as part of Operation Arbacia an investigation into the New IRA
- Scottish officers are searching a property in the Blackhall area of Edinburgh
Police investigating dissident republican group the New IRA have made an arrest at London’s Heathrow Airport.
The man, aged 62, was arrested under the Terrorism Act as part of Operation Arbacia – a cross-border investigation into the activities of the New IRA.
Officers from Police Scotland are searching a property in the Blackhall area of Edinburgh following the detention.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said: ‘Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit have today arrested a 62-year-old man at Heathrow Airport under the Terrorism Act as part of Operation Arbacia, an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA.’
It comes after a court today heard how men accused of directing republican terrorism in Northern Ireland attended a meeting in Co Tyrone to plan their activities.
A senior investigating officer confirmed the involvement of secret service MI5 in an operation against the New IRA which led to the arrests.
The gathering was held in Omagh earlier this year, charges linking the accused to IRA membership said.
Shea Reynolds, 26, and Patrick McDaid, 50, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court via video-link on Saturday to face the charges.
The detective told the court: ‘Police work in conjunction with other statutory bodies in keeping the community safe.
Police investigating dissident republican group the New IRA have made an arrest at London’s Heathrow Airport (file image)
‘I can assure the court that the police take all decisions when it comes to policing matters.’
A lawyer for one of the men challenged whether police had adequately communicated with her client.
The detective said: ‘The evidence was put to your client during interviews and he was made fully aware of how this matter was recorded.’
The two men were accused of attending the meeting in Omagh, Co Tyrone, as part of their activities.
All the alleged wrongdoing relates to earlier this year, up until last month.
Reynolds, from Belvedere Manor in Lurgan, Co Armagh, faced four charges in court.
They included conspiracy to possess Semtex explosives to endanger life and intending to commit acts of terrorism through attending the meeting in Omagh.
McDaid, from Magowan Park in Londonderry, faced three charges, including intending to commit acts of terrorism.
Neither man spoke during the hearing.
They appeared remotely from a Belfast police station and were casually dressed in T-shirts.
There was no application for bail and they were remanded in custody until September 18.
The New IRA is opposed to the peace process and has carried out many attacks on police.
There has been a revived security forces focus on the activities of the organisation since the death of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot last year while she was observing a riot.