Five terror suspects appear in Glasgow court

FIVE Irish Republican terror suspects have appeared in court charged with consipiring to commit acts of terrorism.

Glasgow Sheriff Court. Picture: TSPL

Anton Duffy, Martin Hughes and Stacy McAllister, from Glasgow, Paul Sands, from Ayr, and Edward McVeigh, from Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, were arrested last Wednesday in an operation led by Police Scotland and involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the security service.

They are charged with planning to commit acts of terrorism at a property on Old Castle Road, Cathcart, Glasgow between February 1 and October 23.

Duffy, 39, Hughes, 34, Sands, 30, McVeigh, 26, and McAllister, 27, appeared separately in private at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday.

They are all accused of plotting to carry out a terrorist campaign in the UK.

It is alleged they tried to get a hold of firearms and explosives with a view to carrying out terrorist offences, including “damage to property and murder of civilians”.

A convoy of police motorbikes, police cars and vans were used to bring each of the accused to and from the court. Armed officers in and outside the court building were present.

They each appeared separately in private at Glasgow Sheriff Court where they made no plea or declaration and were remanded in custody by sheriff Ian Miller.

They are due to appear next week for full committal.

The five accused were detained at several locations in Scotland last week.

After the operation, Police Scotland said it had focused on the “activities of individuals sympathetic to dissident Republicanism, but who are not affiliated to any specific group”.

All five people had been held at the Scottish Terrorist Detention Centre in the Govan area of Glasgow.

Police were granted an extended detention period under the Terrorism Act on October 25

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson, Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Safer Communities, last week confirmed that a number of individuals have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 on October 23.

In a statement, Police Scotland said: “They were arrested at several locations under S41 of the Act on suspicion of committing various offences.

“The policing operation, which has also involved the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Security Service, has been focused on the activities of individuals sympathetic to dissident Republicanism but who are not affiliated to any specific group.

“Police Scotland has led the operation which has involved a number of officers, including specialist units, and public safety has been a priority throughout. We are confident as a result of these arrests there is no risk to the public. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”