MI5 uncovers plot to 'target' judges and police in the North

Joe Lynch (left), 73, of Beechgrove Avenue, Limerick and Sean O'Neill, 75, from Quinn's Cottages, Rosbrien, Limerick were remanded in custody on Monday after they appeared in court in Northern Ireland charged with terrorism offences. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

David Young

A covert MI5 operation exposed a dissident republican plot to target judges and police officers in the North, a police officer told a court.

Listening devices placed in a house in Newry, Co Down at the direction of the British Security Services provided the evidence to charge seven men who appeared in court accused of a range of terrorist offences, a judge heard.

The men, aged between 30 and 75, appeared in Newry Magistrates' Court in Co Down after being arrested last week by heavily-armed police investigating the activities of the Continuity IRA. All have been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

Meanwhile, six face charges of 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.

Five of the men are also charged with directing terrorism. The seven were arrested during a police raid on a house in Newry last Monday night.

Five other men detained in the swoop on the property in Ardcarn Park were subsequently released.

The five men facing a count of directing terrorism along with the four other charges are Patrick Joseph Blair (59) from Villas Park, Dundalk, Co Louth; Liam James Hannaway (44) from White Rise, Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast, Co Antrim; Joseph Matthew Lynch (73) from Beechgrove Avenue, Limerick; Sean O'Neill (75) from Quinn's Cottages, Limerick; and Colin Patrick Winters (43) from Ardcarn Park, Newry, Co Down.

The man facing four charges is John Sheehy (30) from Clounmacon, Listowel, Co Kerry.

Seamus Morgan (58) from Barcroft Park, Newry, faces the solitary charge of membership of a proscribed organisation.