MI5 'behind Real IRA arms bid', Vilnius court told

An Irish man suspected of trying to buy weapons for the Real IRA said today he was persuaded to take part in the operation by the British secret service.

Michael Campbell said in evidence at the Vilnius District Court that an MI5 agent had “provoked” him into going to Lithuania to buy weapons in 2008.

The 38-year-old was arrested three years ago in the Baltic state in an international sting operation with gardaí.

Campbell’s brother, Liam, is believed to be a senior Real IRA member.

Campbell’s evidence was his first since the case came to court in 2009.