A SECOND dissident republican suspect from Derry has been charge with terrorist offences following an undercover MI5 operation against the leadership of the New IRA.
The 32-year-old has been charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism, and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism.
A 43-year-old man from the Dungannon area has been charged with membership of proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism, conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life.
A third man aged 48 has been charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism.
The three were among seven men and two women arrested by the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation unit at addresses in Derry, east Tyrone and north Armagah.
The two women have also been charged.
A 45-year-old woman from Dungannon a 49-year-old woman from Lurgan, north Armagh have been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism.
All five will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court via video link on Monday, August 24.
On Saturday, Paddy McDaid (50) from Magowan Park in Derry’s Creggan faced the same court on directing terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation and preparatory acts of terrorism.
Also remanded in custody was Shea Reynolds, 26, of Belvedere Manor, Lurgan who also face the same charges along with conspiracy to posses Semtex explosives and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
The charges relate to a meeting of the New IRA leadership at premises in Omagh which MI5 had gained prior access to an planted dozens of listening devices and video recording equipment.
Codenamed ‘Operation Arbacia, the surveillance op started in February and also covered a second meeting on July 20 this year where it was claimed those who attended were addressed by the ‘Chief of Staff’ and the ‘Chairman’ of the New IRA.
Around 500 police officers from across the PSNI incluing C3 Intelligence Branch, the Terrorist Investigation Unit, Special Operations Branch and the Tactical Support Group were involved in the six month operation aimed at dismantling the leadership of the New IRA in the North of Ireland.
A 62-year-old man arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday as part of ‘Operation Arbacia’ has been flown back to Belfast as part of the investigation.
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