Newry pensioners among seven in court over terror charges

Seven men - including two pensioners - will appear in court this morning charged with serious offences after a major PSNI operation against dissident republican terrorism

By Nevin Farrell

Seven men - including two pensioners - will appear in court this morning charged with serious offences after a major PSNI operation against dissident republican terrorism.

The men were arrested in Newry last Monday after a heavily armed anti-terrorism police squad swooped on a bungalow in Ardcarn Park.

Those arrested in the high-profile operation included Patrick Joseph 'Mooch' Blair, a convicted IRA member, who has been named in the House of Commons as having "helped to construct the Omagh bomb" which killed 29 people.

An investigation had been mounted by the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch and a police spokesman said late last night the charges being brought against the men were "significant".

Five men - aged 43, 44, 59, 73 and 75 - have been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism, conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life and preparation for acts of terrorism.

One man aged 30 has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life and preparation for acts of terrorism.

A 58-year-old man has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

All seven are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court today.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes, from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, said: "These charges follow the arrest of 12 men in the Ardcarn Park area of Newry on the evening of Monday 10 November as part of a proactive investigation into violent dissident republican activity in Northern Ireland.

"Earlier this week five of the men were released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service", he added.

"The arrest and charging of these individuals with what are very serious terrorist offences clearly demonstrates our commitment to investigate all those involved in terrorism.

"The public should be reassured that we will take every opportunity to bring before the courts any individual who involves themselves in terrorist activity."