Man due in court on terrorist charge

A 27-year-old man from north Belfast was appearing in court today over an alleged intelligence-gathering operation by dissident republicans.

A police spokesman said the man was to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with four counts of collecting information which is likely to be of use to terrorists.

Four other people remained in custody in connection with the operation.

Medical records at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast were being accessed to target police officers, politicians and members of the policing board and newly-created district policing partnership boards, it is alleged.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde gave details of the operation after briefing members of the policing board at a meeting in Belfast.

The Real IRA is believed to be responsible – a cause of considerable concern as it is opposed to the peace process and not on ceasefire.

Mr Orde added: “We are looking at material that has been recovered to make sure that if people are being targeted they are being properly warned so we can look after them and their safety.”

The hospital, in the heart of republican west Belfast, confirmed one member of staff was among those arrested and being questioned about a “serious breach of patient confidentiality”.

William McKee, chief executive of the Royal Group of Hospitals, said if the allegation was true “it breaches every standard of integrity in patient care. It’s a kick in the teeth for the 6,500 staff who work to such high, exacting standards”.

The hospital is the largest in Northern Ireland and treats more than 500,000 patients a year. It holds records on all of them including home addresses.

The discovery of two large bombs last month emphasised dissident republicans were still intent on carrying forward their terrorist campaign.

A primed van bomb containing 1,200lbs of explosives was seized in Derry days after police across the border in Co Donegal foiled a major bombing operation with the seizure of 500lbs of explosives.