Derry Saoradh chairman Joe Barr (front centre) to face court on IRA terrorist offences
Derry Saoradh chairman Joe Barr (32) and Gary Hayden (48) have been charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism, and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism.
Barr was kicked out of the USA a number of years ago after he came to the attention of the FBI following a tip off from British intelligence that he was working in New York.
Hayden was convicted last year of taking part in an illegal ‘New IRA’ parade in Derry city.
They were among seven men and two women arrested last Tuesday as part of a covert PSNI/MI5 probe, codenamed ‘Operatioon Arbacia’ into the activities of the New IRA across the North of Ireland.
Also due at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for a first remanding hearing are two senior female members of Saoradh.
One is 45-year-old Mandy Duffy, a chairperson of Saoradh, and the sister-in-law of leading dissident republican Colin ‘Colly’ Duffy.
Mandy Duffy, who is from Lurgan, is charged with directing terrorism, membership of a proscribe organisation and two counts of preparatory acts of terrorism.
A newly married couple have were also arrested over the bugging operation at rented premises in Co Tyrone between February and July this year.
They are 49-year-old Sharon Jordan (nee Rafferty) and husband Davy Jordan (49), from Dungannon.
She has been charged with membership, directing terrorism and preparatory acts of terrorism.
Davy Jordan, who has a previous conviction for possession of a firearm, is the former chairperson of Saorahd, the political wing of the New IRA.
Sharon Jordan, under her maiden name Rafferty, was convicted in 2014 of helping to set up and run a dissident republican training camp outside Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Convicted terrorist Damien McLaughlin (43), who was acquitted in 2018 of charges linked to the murder of prison officer David Black, will also appear at the court via video link from Musgrave street police station today.
McLaughlin, who is also from the Dungannon area, is charged with a number of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life.
A ninth person, Kevin Barry Murphy faces counts of membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism
It is alleged from the secret recordings that Murphy addressed those attending the bugged meetings as ‘Chief of Staff’ of the IRA.
A tenth person was arrested on Saturday at Heathrow Airport by detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit.
The Irish News reports today that the 62-year-old is a Palestinian man. His home in Edinburgh was raided by Police SCotland on Saturday afternoon.
He remains in custody with Kevin Barry Murphy after detectives granted further time to question both suspects under the Terrorism Act 2000.
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.
Both men were remanded in custody until next month.
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