Latest news with #NewIRA
Belfast Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Alleged dissident boss claims PM ordered MI5 to ‘take down IRA' after Lyra McKee murder
An alleged New IRA leader charged with directing terrorism believes he was targeted by MI5 over the British Government's embarrassment at the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
Sunday World
14-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man arrested as part of probe into New IRA Easter parade is released after questioning
Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation New IRA Easter parade in Derry (Photo by Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images) A 40-year-old man that was arrested as part of a police investigation into a New IRA Easter parade in Derry last month, has been released following questioning. Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, failing to comply with conditions imposed by the Parades Commission. They also said he was 'wearing a uniform in a public place in such a way, or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation'. The PSNI confirmed the man was released on Wednesday evening and said the investigation is continuing. Around 150 people had gathered in Derry as the parade took place in the city on Easter Monday. Images from the parade in Derry showed a masked colour party leading those taking part in the parade. There were also young people alongside the parade, some who had petrol bombs. One young person was seen with a shopping trolley full of the objects. After the parade police officers were attacked with petrol bombs, fireworks and other masonry. New IRA Easter parade in Derry (Photo by Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images) News in 90 Seconds - May 14th
BreakingNews.ie
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Cork man remanded in custody in Tyrone after extradition over New IRA charges
A man wanted to stand trial on terrorism charges has appeared in court in Co Tyrone after being extradited from the Republic. Omagh Magistrates' Court heard that Sean Walsh, 58, of Belmont Park, Ballinlough, Douglas, Co Cork, is alleged to have attended a meeting which was targeted in a PSNI surveillance operation against the New IRA. Advertisement A PSNI detective sergeant told the court that he had executed the extradition warrant on Walsh on Tuesday morning outside Newry. He said there had been a 'lengthy' courts and appeal process in the Republic after the warrants were first issued by a Belfast court in November 2021. The detective told the court the case against Walsh related to Operation Arbacia, which was a surveillance operation targeting alleged New IRA meetings. He said police believe Walsh attended a meeting in 2020 in the Omagh area. Advertisement A number of other people have been charged as part of the same operation. Walsh is to stand trial for offences of belonging to a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism, conspiracy to direct terrorism and preparation of acts of terrorism. The charges relate to a meeting that allegedly took place at an address on Buninver Road in Gortin, Co Tyrone. Ireland Nephew (27) of late Aslan singer Christy Dignam di... Read More A prosecuting barrister told the court that she would oppose any application for bail. Advertisement She said Walsh had no address in Northern Ireland and had fought his extradition to the jurisdiction. District Judge Peter Magill pointed out that Walsh had no legal representative in court and adjourned the case until Wednesday in Dungannon to allow for his lawyer to be present to make a bail application.
Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Man extradited to NI from Republic to stand trial as part of terror investigation into New IRA
Police said the 58-year-old man was initially arrested in the Republic on December 8, 2021, with the man successfully returned to Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Police said the man was subject to an investigation by PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit as part of their investigation into the New IRA under Operation Arbacia and was sought to stand trial for a number of terror related offences. The PSNI said these include belonging to a prescribed organisation, directing terrorism, conspiracy to direct terrorism and preparation of acts of terrorism. The alleged offences are thought to have occurred in the Omagh area in July 2020, with the man appearing before Omagh Magistrates' Court later today. PSNI Sergeant Davey from the International Policing Unit said that the recent extradition 'demonstrates our continued and effective' collaboration with Gardaí. He added: 'Today's extradition demonstrates our continued and effective working with partners to track down wanted persons and bring offenders to justice. 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to work closely with authorities in the Republic of Ireland to locate and return those wanted to stand trial in Northern Ireland. 'In this particular case, we worked closely with the PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit and An Garda Síochána to locate this man and bring him before the courts. 'PSNI will relentlessly pursue those sought to stand trial in this jurisdiction.'
Sunday World
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
New IRA chiefs were ‘divided' over riot plans at Easter Rising parade in Derry
The dissident organisation is locked in ceasefire talks with the government The uniformed and masked men passing one of the famous Battle of the Bogside murals at Free Derry Corner The New IRA leadership was divided over riot plans in Derry on Easter Monday, the Sunday World has learned. The dissident organisation is locked in ceasefire talks with the government and it is understood elements of the leadership were adamant that Monday's event should pass off peacefully. The annual Easter Rising parade in the city, which has a history of violence, involved a colour party of people carrying flags and wearing paramilitary-style uniforms with their faces covered. It started in the Creggan estate and concluded with speeches at Free Derry corner in the Bogside area. A crowd of mostly young people threw petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles stationed close to the city's historic walls overlooking the Bogside. It has been claimed the violence was orchestrated to hinder a police investigation into a parade but the Sunday World understands there was dissent at the head of the organisation. According to dissident sources, ceasefire talks are at an advanced stage and that it is only a matter of time before cessation is announced. Veteran members are believed to be advocating a political strategy, bringing to an end their campaign of violence which has seen the organisation carry out seven murders since its inception in 2012. It was a continuation of the Real IRA, the organisation that carried out the Omagh Bomb in August 1998, and was an amalgam of dissident groups including Republican Action Against Drugs. The first indication of the movement taking a political direction was the formation of Saoradh in 2016, which is seen as the political wing of the New IRA. Monday's violence was low scale and involved young people some of them barely into their teens. Elements of the leadership were keen for the event to pass off peacefully rather than rock the boat when it comes to ceasefire talks. 'They want to show that they are capable of controlling their organisation, but there are still plenty of hawks who advocate violence,' said our source. The disruption is unlikely to derail any talks but it shows the leadership is far from being in a place where they can sell the idea of a ceasefire to their members. 'Those who are advocating a ceasefire are the older heads, many of them have been through the process with the IRA back in the day,' said our source. 'The hawks are the younger ones who have no experience of a political process and who still see an advantage in waging a campaign of violence.' On Thursday two men appeared in court to face charges in connection with Monday's disruption. The Magistrates Court in Derry was told the violence was an attempt by the New IRA to prevent police from investigating the parade. A man charged with offences under the Terrorism Act was at the parade in a 'professional capacity' providing security, his lawyer said. Thomas Joseph Moore (55), from Farren Park on Buncrana Road, has provided security at several events in the city, including a visit by former US President Bill Clinton, his solicitor said. Moore has been charged with assisting in arranging a meeting which he knew to be supporting a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA. He was further charged with aiding and abetting unknown persons in wearing paramilitary clothing in support of a proscribed organisation and aiding and abetting unknown persons in failing to comply with conditions imposed by the Parades Commission. When charged with the three offences, each of which carries a maximum jail sentence of six months, the defendant replied: 'This is all nonsense. All I was doing was stewarding.' A PSNI detective inspector said that he could connect the defendant to the offences. The detective said that at Monday's parade, after which 50 petrol bombs were thrown at the PSNI, the defendant was seen liaising with masked men. The officer said the Derry parade was an annual event which 'traditionally results in significant public disorder'. He said that on Monday a number of the participants were masked and observed to be wearing paramilitary-style uniform. 'This was a direct failure to comply with the first condition set by the Parades Commission,' he added. The officer said Moore was identified by an air support unit directing a group of masked men. Granting bail, Judge Archer said the defendant did not have a relevant record, the last entry being more than 30 years ago. The case was adjourned until May 22.
