Republican guilty of arms smuggling plot

A leading dissident republican was found guilty today of attempting to smuggle weapons and explosives into the North from an arms dealer who was an MI5 agent.

Paul McCaugherty (aged 43), from Lurgan, Co Armagh, was convicted of a string of offences at Belfast Crown Court related to the elaborate two-year undercover sting operation carried out by the security services.

Ruling in the non-jury trial, judge Mr Justice Hart said the case against the Real IRA commander was “extremely compelling”.

McCaugherty, from Beech Court, was also found guilty of obtaining a restaurant in Portugal with the intent of selling it off to bolster the coffers of the dissident movement.

His co-accused, Dermot Declan Gregory (aged 41), from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was also convicted of that charge, the only one he faced.