A man has been placed in custody in Northern Ireland after being charged with terror-related offences connected to a cross-border police inquiry into an alleged plan to attack a mosque.
Connor Pollock, 38, from Croob Park in Ballynahinch, Co Down, appeared before a district judge at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, reports Breaking News
No request for bail was submitted during the brief hearing held before Judge Peter Magill.
The accusations stem from an alleged scheme by a group calling itself the Irish Defence Army to strike a mosque and also target accommodation sites used for housing migrants, reports Breaking News
The inquiry into violent far-right extremism is being carried out by police forces on both sides of the Irish border.
Pollock faces three charges under the UK Terrorism Act, reports Breaking News
He is alleged to have been in possession of documents or records that could be of use to terrorists.
According to the charge sheet, this relates to a “claim of responsibility by the Irish Defence Army for the burning of a mosque and a threat of future violence against persons or places connected to the provision of facilities for migrants, and Warning Notices to persons connected to the provision of accommodation for migrants”, reports Breaking News
Pollock also faces a charge of withholding information that could help prevent an act of terrorism, specifically a “terrorist attack on a mosque by persons identifying themselves as the Irish Defence Army”.
He is further charged with having an item intended for use in terrorism, identified as a Samsung Galaxy phone, reports Breaking News
During the brief court appearance, Pollock responded yes when asked if he understood the charges.
A detective sergeant from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) told the court he could link the accused to the offences, reports Breaking News
Pollock’s solicitor informed the court that no bail request would be made on Thursday due to the absence of a suitable bail address, but that an application was expected next week.
The judge ordered that the accused remain in custody and return to court via videolink on Monday, December 15th, reports Breaking News
Pollock was detained on Tuesday in Ballynahinch, with two other individuals arrested the same day as part of the cross-border investigation.
A 40-year-old woman apprehended in Lurgan, Co Armagh, was released pending a report to prosecutors, reports Breaking News
A 48-year-old man detained in Kilkeel, Co Down, was released after being questioned.
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