Gardaí and PSNI arrest five alleged members of far-right extremist group

Gardaí arrested a third person in Co Laois on 12 November and following further investigations a fourth person in Co Limerick on Tuesday. File picture

Security services are understood to have identified and arrested all five alleged members of a cell linked to a new extremist far-right group styling itself as the Irish Defence Army (IDA).

They are among a total of seven arrests that have taken place in a cross-border terrorism investigation, with four of the arrests in Ireland and three in the North.

Two of the individuals in Ireland have been charged to date and one of the suspects in the North was brought before the courts on Thursday.

The most recent, and seventh, arrest was carried out by the Garda Special Detective Unit last Tuesday. This person was subsequently released without charge.

All the arrests are part of a joint operation by the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service and the PSNI into an alleged plot by the IDA to attack a mosque in Galway and also target asylum accommodation.

The initial two arrests in Ireland, first revealed in the Irish Examiner, were made in Co Laois on November 5.

This sparked searches of addresses in the North, where a number of items were seized. This, in turn, led to further investigations by the PSNI serious crime branch, with three arrests taking place on 9 December.

Gardaí meanwhile arrested a third person in Co Laois on 12 November and following further investigations a fourth person in Co Limerick on Tuesday.

In the North, Connor Pollock, 38, from Croob Park, in Ballynahinch, Co Down, appeared via videolink from Maghaberry Prison for a bail hearing at the Downpatrick Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

He is charged with three offences under the UK Terrorism Act.

The charges relate to an alleged plot by the Irish Defence Army to attack the mosque and also target accommodation facilities used to house migrants.

The court heard there was a "15-point" plan for the proposed attack on the mosque, which also contained code names and specific roles for five members of an "active service unit" of the IDA.

In the bail proceedings, a PSNI detective constable outlined the circumstances of An Garda Síochána's investigation into "extreme right-wing terrorism".

Connor Pollock is accused of possessing documents or records likely to be of use to terrorists.

According to the charge sheet document, that count relates to a "claim of responsibility by the Irish Defence Army for the burning of a mosque and a threat of future violence against persons or places connected to the provision of facilities for migrants, and Warning Notices to persons connected to the provision of accommodation for migrants".

The judge said the prosecution case that this was a dangerous organisation preparing to carry out attacks had "traction with the court".

He denied bail and remanded the accused until January 15.