Trio remanded on terrorism charges

Three men have been remanded in custody after appearing in British court charged with possessing firearms and money for terrorist purposes.

James Moloney, 44, Robert Naylor, 48, and Benjamin Wilson, 35, were arrested last Sunday.

All three faced charges under Britain's Terrorism Act of possessing money, guns, silencers and ammunition for terrorist purposes when they appeared amid tight security at Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London.

They were also charged with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, and possession of two handguns, two silencers and a machine gun.

Wilson, owner of a van hire company, of Carlton Street, Morecambe, Lancashire, UK, and Moloney, a concreter, of Napier Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK, were also charged with possession of ammunition without a certificate.

Naylor, an unemployed father-of-seven, of Westminster Road, Morecambe, UK, faced an additional charge of selling ammunition without being a registered dealer.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses during the 45-minute hearing.

They were arrested after armed officers raided premises on an industrial estate in Morecambe on August 10 as part of an investigation into the activities of Irish dissident groups.

Naylor and Wilson were refused bail. Moloney made no application for bail. All three were remanded in custody to appear before the Old Bailey on August 22.