Seven men admit terrorism charges

Seven men, due to go on trial on 3 February, have pleaded guilty to terrorist charges arising from a covert MI5 operation against the Continuity IRA.

The men admitted belonging or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation, providing weapons and explosives training, conspiring to possess explosives, firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. They further admitted conspiracy to possess explosives, firearms and ammunition with intent, and preparing acts of terrorism.

Three of the accused, Patrick Joseph 'Mooch' Blair, 64, Liam Hannaway, 50, and Colin Patrick Winters, 48, also admitted collecting information likely to be of use to terrorists.

The offences took place on dates between 11 August 2014 and 11 November 2014. Reports claim that none of the defendants asked for pre-sentence reports from the probation service ahead of sentencing.

MI5 had gained access to a property in Newry, County Down, and planted a secret listening device in a number of rooms in the property to record conversations at meetings of the Continuity IRA. The court heard in 2014 that suspects in the property had been recorded discussing potential targets for attack, including specific police officers.