Arrest of Muslims fuels fears of terror base in Ireland

FEARS that Ireland is being used as a base for terrorists planning attacks on Britain have increased after it emerged that two Muslims who have been living in Dublin were arrested in Holyhead 11 days ago.

North Wales police will decide today if they will charge the man and woman — who come originally from Algeria — after they were detained at the port on August 11 following a major surveillance operation.

Police forces on both sides of the Irish Sea have refused to comment on reports that information about making bombs was discovered on a laptop computer found in their possession. North Wales police merely confirmed several items were seized during the operation.

The couple were arrested on the day after the details of the foiled terrorist plot to target aircraft flying between Britain and the US were released, although British police have dismissed a direct link between the two events.

The 47-year-old male and the 44-year-old female, who is believed to be his partner, are being held under high security at separate stations in North Wales. Details of the arrests were withheld from the public for over a week for operational reasons, according to a spokesperson for North Wales police.

He also declined to reveal any more details about the operation, although he stressed that no threat was ever posed to the thousands of people travelling through Holyhead every day.

Meanwhile, gardaí have confirmed that they conducted a search on a house used by the male suspect in West Dublin last week following contact from their British counterparts.

However, a garda spokesperson refused to comment further on the case on the basis that it is a “UK-led operation”.

It is understood gardaí were aware of the man’s links with Islamic extremists and he has been kept under surveillance intermittently by Special Branch officers in recent years.

The couple were arrested under the Terrorism Act in a pre-planned swoop at Holyhead on August 11.

It is understood the woman had arrived in the port on board an Irish Ferries sailing from Dublin. It is believed the man, who has a home in Britain, had travelled to Holyhead to meet her.

The couple reappeared before a special sitting of a magistrates court in Holyhead last Thursday which was closed to the public. A magistrate issued an order allowing them to be held in custody until later today.

Deputy Chief Constable of North Wales Police Clive Wolfendale revealed at the weekend that they are working in close co-operation on the case with the London Metropolitan police who are leading the nationwide investigation into terrorist threats.