Menu
21/10/2011
Campbell 'Guilty' Of RIRA Gun Charges
An Irish man has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by a Lithuanian court after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle guns for the Real IRA.
County Louth man Michael Campbell was arrested and later charged in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius after handing over €10,000 to an undercover Lithuanian agent posing as a weapons supplier. The 38-year-old man has already served over three years of this sentence in a Lithuanian jail but he denies the charges saying that he was 'set-up'.
His arrest was part of an international 'sting operation' co-ordinated by MI5 and Lithuanian intelligence aimed at incapacitating the Real IRA, but Campbell believes that he was victim to a set-up by the British Intelligence organisation.
However a recording played as evidence in the court heard Mr Campbell say how easy it would be to plant a bomb in London and escape.
He said: "You can imagine us getting over to England ... you imagine, with a six-hour timer, we could be over to London and back," he says in an audio clip after mulling over a price list for explosives and detonators.
Owen Paterson Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has welcomed the court's decision to convict the Real IRA member.
Mr Paterson said: "This is another excellent example of what can come from the high levels of co-operation between countries across Europe and beyond in combating terrorism.
"I am very pleased with this verdict and would like to congratulate the Security Service and the Lithuanian authorities who have collected the evidence that the Court in Lithuania has clearly found to be both convincing and compelling.
"I have no doubt that this will have dealt a blow to RIRA but we are not complacent and we remain determined to do all that we can to bear down on those who are the enemies of the whole community throughout the United Kingdom".
The East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has welcomed the conviction of Michael Campbell on charges of smuggling weapons for the Real IRA.
Speaking today Mr Campbell said: "This conviction is another welcome blow dealt to dissident terrorists who want to drag Northern Ireland back. The work carried out by the UK security services along with counterparts in Europe has ensured that lives have been saved and damage to property prevented.
"It is vital however that vigilance is maintained against these groups who still pose a threat to everyone in Northern Ireland.
"Through the community working with the police and other agencies however we can ensure they do not succeed," the DUP politician said.
(LB/BMcC)
County Louth man Michael Campbell was arrested and later charged in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius after handing over €10,000 to an undercover Lithuanian agent posing as a weapons supplier. The 38-year-old man has already served over three years of this sentence in a Lithuanian jail but he denies the charges saying that he was 'set-up'.
His arrest was part of an international 'sting operation' co-ordinated by MI5 and Lithuanian intelligence aimed at incapacitating the Real IRA, but Campbell believes that he was victim to a set-up by the British Intelligence organisation.
However a recording played as evidence in the court heard Mr Campbell say how easy it would be to plant a bomb in London and escape.
He said: "You can imagine us getting over to England ... you imagine, with a six-hour timer, we could be over to London and back," he says in an audio clip after mulling over a price list for explosives and detonators.
Owen Paterson Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has welcomed the court's decision to convict the Real IRA member.
Mr Paterson said: "This is another excellent example of what can come from the high levels of co-operation between countries across Europe and beyond in combating terrorism.
"I am very pleased with this verdict and would like to congratulate the Security Service and the Lithuanian authorities who have collected the evidence that the Court in Lithuania has clearly found to be both convincing and compelling.
"I have no doubt that this will have dealt a blow to RIRA but we are not complacent and we remain determined to do all that we can to bear down on those who are the enemies of the whole community throughout the United Kingdom".
The East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has welcomed the conviction of Michael Campbell on charges of smuggling weapons for the Real IRA.
Speaking today Mr Campbell said: "This conviction is another welcome blow dealt to dissident terrorists who want to drag Northern Ireland back. The work carried out by the UK security services along with counterparts in Europe has ensured that lives have been saved and damage to property prevented.
"It is vital however that vigilance is maintained against these groups who still pose a threat to everyone in Northern Ireland.
"Through the community working with the police and other agencies however we can ensure they do not succeed," the DUP politician said.
(LB/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 August 2009
Lithuanian Arms 'Sting' Outlined In Court
New details of an international 'sting operation' have emerged as the trial of a Co Louth man charged with trying to buy arms and explosives for the Real IRA was adjourned until October.
Lithuanian Arms 'Sting' Outlined In Court
New details of an international 'sting operation' have emerged as the trial of a Co Louth man charged with trying to buy arms and explosives for the Real IRA was adjourned until October.
11 January 2013
Omagh Bomb Men Seek To Overturn Ruling
Two men held responsible for the Omagh bombing in 1998 are seeking to have the ruling overturned by the European Court of Human Rights. Jailed Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell are to challenge the ruling, due reportedly to their lawyers’ inability to cross-examine an FBI spy whose evidence was central to the case against them.
Omagh Bomb Men Seek To Overturn Ruling
Two men held responsible for the Omagh bombing in 1998 are seeking to have the ruling overturned by the European Court of Human Rights. Jailed Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell are to challenge the ruling, due reportedly to their lawyers’ inability to cross-examine an FBI spy whose evidence was central to the case against them.
25 November 2014
Gerry Adams Criticised For Comments On Unionists
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been recorded at a public meeting in Enniskillen referring to unionist politicians as "b******s". A speech by Mr Adams was recorded by a journalist from the Impartial Reporter, and he is heard saying "...the point is actually to break these b******s, that's the point.
Gerry Adams Criticised For Comments On Unionists
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been recorded at a public meeting in Enniskillen referring to unionist politicians as "b******s". A speech by Mr Adams was recorded by a journalist from the Impartial Reporter, and he is heard saying "...the point is actually to break these b******s, that's the point.
22 January 2003
Omagh bomb families lodge £10m damages claim
Lawyers acting for the families of the Omagh bomb victims have lodged documents in the Dublin High Court today indicating that the sum of damages sought will top £10 million. The civil action is expected to be heard in Belfast against Michael McKevitt, 51, Liam Campbell, 38, Colm Murphy, 51, Seamus McKenna, 49, and 33-year-old Seamus Daly.
Omagh bomb families lodge £10m damages claim
Lawyers acting for the families of the Omagh bomb victims have lodged documents in the Dublin High Court today indicating that the sum of damages sought will top £10 million. The civil action is expected to be heard in Belfast against Michael McKevitt, 51, Liam Campbell, 38, Colm Murphy, 51, Seamus McKenna, 49, and 33-year-old Seamus Daly.
23 March 2004
Obesity is health time bomb in NI
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer has issued a stark warning about a growing obesity problem in the province. Publishing her Annual Report entitled ‘Your Health Matters’, Dr Henrietta Campbell revealed that obesity currently affects over 1 in 5 of people in Northern Ireland.
Obesity is health time bomb in NI
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer has issued a stark warning about a growing obesity problem in the province. Publishing her Annual Report entitled ‘Your Health Matters’, Dr Henrietta Campbell revealed that obesity currently affects over 1 in 5 of people in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
