Senior Real IRA man gets 20-year jail term

2 October 2010
Irish Times

THE SO-CALLED second in command of the Real IRA was yesterday jailed for 20 years for attempting to smuggle 104,000 of guns and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (44) from Beechcourt in Lurgan, Co Armagh, had sought the equipment for the Real IRA from an arms dealer who was a security services agent.

Jailed with him yesterday for four years was Dermot Declan Gregory (42) of Concession Road, Crossmaglen, who was found guilty of making a Portuguese property available for the purpose of terrorism. (The Panda Restaurant in Alvor, Portugal)

The pair were caught as part of a Secret Service sting operation, carried out by “role-playing” MI5 agents against dissident republicans to thwart their gun-smuggling plans. They were convicted after a non-jury Diplock trial at Belfast Crown Court in June heard from the MI5 agents, described as “Covert Human Intelligence Sources”, who outlined the sting operation which ran from August 2004 to June 2006.

McCaugherty, who once boasted it was his IRA branch who made up the Omagh bomb, showed no emotion as Mr Justice Hart said any attempt to purchase and import a large amount of weapons “must be regarded as exceptionally serious because of the potential for murder and destruction on a large scale”.

In all, the taxi-driving married father of two was convicted of seven charges including IRA membership, conspiracy to possess guns and explosives and using and arranging money for the purposes of terrorism.

McCaugherty’s inventory of weapons included 100kg of plastic explosives, 20 AK47 assault rifles, 10 sniper rifles, 20 handguns and 20 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and several arm-burst launchers capable of disabling armoured vehicles.

He had proposed part-paying for the arms shipment by the sale of a Portuguese restaurant in Alvor, which was supplied by Gregory, rumoured to have been an MI5 agent himself.

Mr Justice Hart said he was satisfied at all times that McCaugherty “was acting as a senior and trusted member of the Real IRA”.

Later, when sentencing him to a concurrent maximum of 10 years for membership, the Belfast judge added that while such a sentence should normally be reserved for leading terrorists, “it is abundantly clear . . . McCaugherty did occupy such a position”.

His defence Adrian Colton had argued that while McCaugherty may not have been entrapped, in the legal sense, by the agent known as “Ali”, he had been “enticed” into acting the way he had, and was therefore entitled to a reduction in sentence.

Mr Justice Hart, in rejecting this contention said that “McCaugherty’s admissions to Ali reveal that he has been an active and energetic terrorist for a considerable period of time, and one who was prepared to go to great lengths to obtain weapons”.

And in a stark warning to other dissident republicans, he warned: “Continued terrorist activity at the present time requires the courts to impose severe deterrent sentences in cases such as this.”

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

REAL IRA DEPUTY JAILED FOR 20YRS IN MI5 STING

Paul McCaugherty / Dermot Gregory

2 October 2010
Mirror
Michael Donnelly

Dissident chief guilty of £90k gun smuggling plot

THE Real IRA's second-in-command was yesterday jailed for 20 years for attempting to smuggle £90,000 of guns and explosives.

Sent down with Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 44, was 42-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory who was handed a four-year term.

The pair were caught as part of a MI5 sting codenamed Nare and Liburna, carried out by "role-playing" agents against dissident republicans.

They were convicted after a Diplock trial at Belfast Crown Court in June heard from the MI5 agents, described as "Covert Human Intelligence Sources", who outlined the sting operation which ran from August 2004 to June 2006.

McCaugherty, 44, of Beechcourt in Lurgan, Co Armagh, who once boasted it was his unit who made the Omagh bomb, showed no emotion as Mr Justice Hart said any attempt to import a large amount of weapons "must be regarded as exceptionally serious because of the potential for murder and destruction on a large scale".

In all the taxi-driving married father of two was convicted of IRA membership, conspiracy to possess guns and explosives and using and arranging money for terrorism.

McCaugherty's shopping list included 100 kilos of plastic explosives, 20 AK47 assault rifles, 10 sniper rifles, 20 handguns and 20 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and several arm-burst launchers capable of taking out armoured vehicles.

He'd proposed part paying for the arms by the sale of a Portuguese restaurant in Alvor. That was supplied by Gregory, a mechanic, from Concession Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, who was rumoured to have been an MI5 agent.

Described as one of the dissident's money men, he was convicted of making the restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Mr Justice Hart told him:

"Money is the life-blood of any terror organisation and anyone who makes property available to a terrorist organisation helps that organisation further its objectives of murder and destruction, and the punishment must reflect this."

Mr Justice Hart said he was satisfied McCaugherty "was acting as a senior and trusted member of the Real IRA".

He added: "Continuing terrorist activity at the present time requires the court to impose severe deterrent sentences."

Later when sentencing him to the maximum of 10 years for membership, the Belfast judge added that while such a sentence should normally be reserved for leading terrorists, "it is abundantly clear .... McCaugherty did occupy such a position".

Defending Adrian Colton argued that while McCaugherty may not have been entrapped, in the legal sense, by agent Ali, he had been "enticed" into the offence, and was entitled to a reduction in sentence.

Mr Justice Hart, in rejecting this contention said:

"McCaugherty's admissions to Ali reveal that he has been an active and energetic terrorist for a considerable period, and one who was prepared to go to great lengths to obtain weapons".

This, added the judge, was evidenced from the fact he made "numerous trips to meet Ali to destinations as far apart as Amsterdam, Bruges and Istanbul".

Turning to Gregory, the judge said he did not believe his intentions were in providing the restaurant to the RIRA were not as alturistic as McCaugherty may have thought.

Mr Justice Hart said he was satisfied while his efforts "were significant it was his intention to use the RIRA to retrieve his property", albeit he was prepared to pay them a substantial sum.

He added: "It cannot be easily quantified how much they would have benefited by this exercise, but it would have been a substantial amount of money.

Mr Justice Hart also ordered the forfeiture of almost £43,000 given to Ali by McCaugherty, who like Gregory is to appeal.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

RIRA gun run plotter gets 20yrs after sting

Paul McCaugherty / Dermot Gregory

2 October 2010 
The Sun
Jason Johnson

A SENIOR Real IRA terrorist was starting a 20-year prison sentence last night after being snared in an MI5 sting operation.

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 44, struck a deal with an undercover agent as he plotted to import guns and explosives into the UK.

Mr Justice Anthony Hart told Belfast Crown Court the attempt to import the weapons was "exceptionally serious because of the potential for murder and destruction on a large scale". McCaugherty, of Lurgan, Co Armagh, showed no emotion as he was jailed alongside co-accused Dermot Declan Gregory, 42. Gregory, of Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was given four years for making a property in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism. (The Panda Restaurant in Alvor, Portugal)

Burly

As he was led away, burly McCaugherty raised one arm to friends and family in the heavily guarded courtroom. The court heard he set out to buy a substantial quantity of weapons and explosives in Europe on behalf of the Real IRA.

He was introduced to a person he knew as Ali who he believed was a genuine arms dealer but was really an MI5 agent.

McCaugherty agreed to buy 100kg of plastic explosives, 28 AK assault rifles, 20 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, ten sniper rifles and two pistols.

During his negotiations with Ali he handed over £45,970 in cash as part payment for the weapons. Mr Justice Hart said he was satisfied McCaugherty was acting as a senior member of the Real IRA.

The sentencing came in the week after Home Secretary Theresa May and MI5 warned dissidents plan to bomb Britain.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Pair jailed for Real IRA arms plot

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty and Dermot Declan Gregory

1 October 2010
UTV News

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 44, from Beechcourt in Lurgan Co Armagh, was jailed for attempting to smuggle €104,000 of guns and explosives into Northern Ireland.

His co-accused, Dermot Declan Gregory, aka Michael Dermot Gregory, 42, from Concession Road, Crossmaglen, Co Down, will spend four years behind bars.

The pair were caught as part of a Secret Service sting operation code-named Nare and Liburna, carried out by "role-playing" MI5 agents against dissident republicans to thwart their gun-running plans.

They were convicted after a non-jury Diplock trial at Belfast Crown Court in June heard from the MI5 agents, described as "Covert Human Intelligence Sources", who outlined the sting operation which ran from August 2004 to June 2006.

McCaugherty, who once boasted it was his IRA branch who made up the Omagh bomb which claimed the lives of 29 people, including unborn twins, showed no emotion as Mr Justice Hart said any attempt to purchase and import a large amount of weapons "must be regarded as exceptionally serious because of the potential for murder and destruction on a large scale".

In all the taxi driving married father-of-two was convicted of seven charges including IRA membership, conspiracy to possess guns and explosives and using and arranging money for the purposes of terrorism.

McCaugherty's shopping list of weapons included 100kg of plastic explosives, 20 AK47 assault rifles, 10 sniper rifles, 20 handguns and 20 rocket propelled grenade launchers, and several arm-burst launchers capable of taking out armoured vehicles.

He had proposed part-paying for the arms shipment by the sale of a Portuguese restaurant in Alvor, which was supplied by Gregory, a scrap-dealing motor mechanic, and rumoured to have been an MI5 agent himself.

'Money Man'

Described during the trial as one of the dissident republican's money men, he was convicted of making the restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Mr Justice Hart told Gregory that "money is the life -blood of any terrorist organisation, and anyone who makes property available to a terrorist organisation helps that organisation further its objectives of murder and destruction, and the punishment must reflect this".

Mr Justice Hart said he was satisfied at all times that McCaugherty "was acting as a senior and trusted member of the Real IRA" and was attempting to obtain weapons "in his capacity as a leading member of the RIRA, and the sentence must reflect these factors".

Later when sentencing him to the maximum of 10 years for membership, the Belfast judge added that while such a sentence should normally be reserved for leading terrorists, "it is abundantly clear ....that McCaugherty did occupy such a position".

Mr Justice Hart said despite his determined efforts to get weaponry, it was true that there "was never any prospect of McCaugherty obtaining these weapons because the entire operation was a carefully contrived sting".

His defence QC Adrian Colton had argued that while McCaugherty may not have been entrapped, in the legal sense, by the agent known as 'Ali', he had been 'enticed' into acting the way he had, and was therefore entitled to a reduction in sentence.

Mr Justice Hart, in rejecting this contention said that "McCaugherty's admissions to Ali reveal that he has been an active and energetic terrorist for a considerable period of time, and one who was prepared to go to great lengths to obtain weapons".

This, added the judge, was evidenced from the fact he made "numerous trips to meet Ali to destinations as far apart as Amsterdam, Bruges and Istanbul".

However, Mr Justice Hart said he was prepared to "make some allowance" given the unjustifiable delay in bringing McCaugherty to trial, and because at his trial a "great majority of the anonymous witnesses were agreed".

Turning to Gregory, the judge said he did not believe his intentions were as altruistic as McCaugherty may have thought in providing the Panda restaurant in Alvor, to the RIRA.

Mr Justice Hart said he was satisfied while his efforts "were significant ...... it was his intention to use the RIRA to retrieve his property", albeit he was prepared to pay them a substantial sum once the operation was completed.

"It cannot be easily quantified how much they would have benefited by this exercise, but it would have been a substantial amount of money on any showing," said the judge.

Mr Justice Hart said, since he did not think Gregory would have been as generous as supposed, he sentenced him "on the basis that he intended to benefit substantially from the RIRA's effort on his behalf".

However, he declared that: "Nevertheless this was a serious offence. "Money is the life blood of any terrorist organisation, and anyone who makes property available to a terrorist organisation helps that organisation further its objectives of murder and destruction, and the sentence must reflect this".

As part of his sentencing Mr Justice Hart also ordered the forfeiture of almost €50,000 given to Ali by McCaugherty, who like Gregory has already lodged an appeal against their convictions.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Pair jailed for Real IRA gun plot

1 October 2010
BBC
Paul McCaugherty was found guilty after a non-jury trial

Two men have been jailed for their part in a dissident republican gun smuggling plot which was uncovered after an MI5 sting operation.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, of Beech Court in Lurgan who was found guilty of attempting to import weapons and explosives, was given 20 years.

Dermot Declan Gregory of Concession Road in Crossmaglen, was found guilty of making a Portuguese property available for the purpose of terrorism. He was sentenced to four years.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA man jailed for 20 years

1 Oct 2010
Irish Times

A leading dissident republican was has been jailed for 20 years for attempting to smuggle weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Paul McCaugherty (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 MI5.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Men jailed over arms smuggling plot

1 Oct 2010
Independent

Two men were have been jailed after a dissident republican gun smuggling plot was uncovered by an MI5 sting operation.

Paul McCaugherty, 44, of Lurgan, Co Armagh, was found guilty of attempting to import weapons and explosives and given 20 years. He sought the equipment for the Real IRA from an arms dealer who was a security services agent.

Dermot Declan Gregory, 42, of Crossmaglen, was found guilty of making a Portuguese property available for the purpose of terrorism. He was sentenced to four years.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Prison break; Fear dissident inmates are hatching copycat Maze plan

15 August 2010
The News of the World
Ciaran McGuigan

It's feared dissident republicans who called off a dirty protest could be plotting a mass jail ESCAPE instead.

The group in top security Maghaberry Prison won search concessions and secured free movement and association 12 hours a day inside the republican landings after a deal with prison chiefs.

The deal on Thursday ended a two-month dirty protest by dissidents at the jail's Roe House.

But seasoned staff fear the settlement means prisoners are now well-placed to stage a repeat of the mass IRA break-out from the Maze in 1983 — when 38 men escaped after taking over an entire jail block.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Warder flees over kill plot

8 August 2010
The News of the World

A prison officer has been moved from his Co Antrim home and hidden because of a dissident republican murder plot.

The warder was whisked from Maghaberry village and taken to a secret location on Thursday after news of the threat was leaked.

The plot came as terrorist godfather Paul McCaugherty, 43, of Oglaigh na hEireann, ordered an escalation of the ongoing dirty protest inside the republican wing of Maghaberry Prison's Roe House.

In a statement, the Prison Service said the protest involved prisoners "fouling areas of their living accommodation by pouring urine, sometimes mixed with excrement, on to the landings. Staff have also had discarded urine aimed at them".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, MI5, Oglaigh na hEireann, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Terrorists plotted to kill SAS chief

4 July 2010
The Sunday Times
John Mooney

Republican dissidents secretly planned to murder Sir Michael Rose, a retired British army general who commanded the SAS.

Paul McCaugherty, then second-in-command of Oglaigh na hEireann (OnH), a republican faction, discussed the idea with an undercover MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informer, MI5, Oglaigh na hEireann, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

ARMS SMUGGLER WAS MI5 GRASS

ARMS SMUGGLER WAS MI5 GRASS
4 July 2010
Ciaran Barnes, Crime Reporter
The Sunday Life

A MAN convicted of involvement in the Real IRA arms smuggling plot is a suspected MI5 informant.

Dermot Gregory was fingered by dissident godfather Colm Murphy as being a paid army spy involved in setting up republicans along the border.

Gregory, 41, will be sentenced later this year for helping Lurgan Real IRA leader Paul McCaugherty try to smuggle guns and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Last week a court found him guilty of buying a restaurant in Portugal with the intention of selling it on to held fund the Real IRA to purchase arms.

Car dealer Gregory is currently being held in protective custody at Maghaberry Prison because his name tops a Real IRA death list.

Colm Murphy -- convicted in a civil court of being liable for the Omagh bomb but cleared in a criminal case retrial -- said Gregory gave him a full account of his MI5 spying activities.

"In the run up to my retrial (for the Omagh bomb) Gregory was actively trying to implicate me in some sort of activity to scupper the case," said Murphy.

"He has admitted this. He was ready to go public before he was pulled back into Maghaberry."

Murphy said Gregory gave him a signed confession in which he admitted more than £500,000 was paid to him and a 43-year-old Garda informant.

The letter claimed Gregory and the Garda spy were acting as a team and were involved in setting up dissident republicans in south Armagh and Co Louth.

Murphy alleged that Gregory agreed to do a press conference revealing his role, but had his bail revoked in May and was jailed before he could go in front of the cameras.

The Garda informer fled Ireland after the Real IRA murdered Kieran Doherty in Derry last February.

The Dublin career criminal is now believed to be in living in protective custody in Wales.

Murphy claimed Gregory also told him that they both provided their handlers with false information to try to get extra cash.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Colm Murphy, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Informer, MI5, Michael Dermot, Michael Gregory, Omagh, Paul McCaugherty, Real IRA

RIRA plot to kill general

4 July 2010
The Sunday Life
Ciaran Barnes

The REAL IRA wanted to pay a Balkan hitman to murder a top British army general responsible for operations in Bosnia.

The plan to kill Sir Michael Rose -- which could come straight from the pages of a spy novel -- was the brainchild of Lurgan terror boss Paul McCaugherty.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Oglaigh na hEireann, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Seamus McKenna

Boss on new charge

4 July 2010
The Sunday Life

Terror boss Paul McCaugherty is facing even more charges.

The Real IRA chief was arrested at his home in the Beech Court area of Lurgan on June 25 after a police raid.

The 43-year-old was charged with possessing information likely to be of use to terrorists.

Bald McCaugherty appeared in Lisburn Magistrates' Court three days later.

Details of the fresh charges against the dissident republican godfather can only be revealed now that his arms smuggling trial is over.

He is scheduled to appear in court again in September.

Continue Reading... Labels: Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Real IRA

Arms smuggler was MI5 grass

4 July 2010
The Sunday Life
Ciaran Barnes

A man convicted of involvement in the Real IRA arms smuggling plot is a suspected MI5 informant.

Dermot Gregory was fingered by dissident godfather Colm Murphy as being a paid army spy involved in setting up republicans along the border.

Gregory, 41, will be sentenced later this year for helping Lurgan Real IRA leader Paul McCaugherty try to smuggle guns and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Colm Murphy, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Informer, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

How an MI5 'weapons dealer' tricked a Real IRA leader

2 July 2010
BBC
Conor Spackman

It was a case which could have come straight from the pages of a spy novel - but in fact it was a deadly real-life narrative. A self-proclaimed leader of the Real IRA attending exotic meetings across Europe, plotting to secure the sophisticated weaponry which would be used to target the British commander of UN forces in Bosnia as well as police officers in Northern Ireland. In fact Paul McCaugherty had been enmeshed in what a judge described as "an elaborate and successful hoax", which ended in his conviction on a plethora of terrorist charges on Wednesday.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Entrapment, MI5, Omagh, Orlando Pownall, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Seamus McKenna

Dissident republican plotter put in isolation

2 July 2010 
Mirror  
Maurice Fitzmaurice

A DISSIDENT republican who took part in a plot to buy arms for the Real IRA has been put in an isolation cell while he awaits sentencing, it emerged last night.

Dermot Declan Gregory, aka Michael Dermot Gregory, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was found guilty on Wednesday of making a restaurant available for a gang that was trying to buy assault rifles and rocket launchers.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Informer, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

He said the Real IRA had been scheming... and the arms deal would be the icing on the cake

1 July 2010
Belfast Telegraph

FOR two years he travelled to cities across Europe, plotting a deadly gunsmuggling operation designed to bring terror to the streets of Northern Ireland.

But Real IRA boss Paul McCaugherty's plans had one fatal flaw. His misplaced trust in a man he believed to be an arms dealer -- but who was actually a covert MI5 agent -- who blew the lid on the smuggling plot.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Secret agents are our hidden heroes

1 July 2010
Belfast Telegraph

Comment

Spies and double agents have had a chequered -- and in many cases an unsavoury -- history throughout the decades of terrorist activities in both parts of Ireland. There are well documented cases where agents overstepped the mark during the most recent Troubles and engaged directly in terrorism up to, and including, murder. Yet, it has to be accepted that the often murky world of intelligence-gathering is vital to national security in every country.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Amir, MI5, Omagh, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Real IRA

'It was an elaborate and successful hoax that completely fooled a determined terrorist'

1 July 2010
Belfast Telegraph

Paul McCaugherty was one of a group of terrorists who were determined to buy arms and explosives to carry out attacks on the security forces, a judge has said.

Convicting McCaugherty of a series of terrorism charges relating to a two-year MI5 sting operation, Mr Justice Hart said there was "extremely compelling" evidence against him.

McCaugherty (43), from Beech Court in Lurgan, had denied a total of seven charges.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Terrorist duped in MI5 gun deal sting

1 July 2010
The Sun
David Young

A REAL IRA commander duped by an MI5 agent was found guilty yesterday of trying to smuggle a huge cache of weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland. Paul McCaugherty, 43, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, had no idea he was being targeted in a sting operation.

At Belfast Crown Court Justice Hart said the evidence against McCaugherty was "extremely compelling". The judge added: "He was one of a group of terrorists determined to buy arms and explosives to carry out attacks on members of the security forces in Northern Ireland."

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA leader found guilty after MI5 sting

1 July 2010 
Irish Independent

A LEADING dissident republican who was duped by an MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer was found guilty yesterday of trying to smuggle a huge cache of weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Paul McCaugherty (43) from Lurgan in Co Armagh had no idea the arsenal he agreed to buy for more than €100,000 did not even exist and that he was instead being targeted by the British security services in a two-year undercover sting operation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA chief guilty

1 July 2010
The Times

A Real IRA commander caught in an MI5 sting was found guilty of trying to smuggle weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland. Paul McCaugherty, 43, from Lurgan, County Armagh, was targeted by an agent posing as an arms dealer. Mr Justice Hart heard evidence in the non-jury case at Belfast Crown Court.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

IRA man guilty of arms smuggling

1 July 2010 
The Journal Newcastle

A LEADING dissident republican duped by an MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer has been found guilty of trying to smuggle a huge cache of weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland. Paul McCaugherty, 43, from County Armagh, had no idea the arsenal he agreed to buy for more than 100,000 euros did not exist and he was instead being targeted by a Security Services sting operation.

Convicting him of a string of offences related to the phoney deal at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Mr Justice Hart, ruling in the non-jury case, said the evidence against the Real IRA commander was "compelling".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA chief caught in M15 weapons sting

1 July 2010
The Daily Telegraph
Gordon Rayner

A REAL IRA commander has been convicted of trying to smuggle weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland after being snared by a MI5 sting operation.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, was caught trying to buy an arsenal of weapons from an agent posing as a Middle Eastern arms dealer.

The security service agent, known as Ali, spent two years meeting McCaugherty and bugging 90 hours of conversations, which became the cornerstone of the prosecution's case at Belfast Crown Court.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Dissident republican (43) guilty of smuggling plot

1 July 2010 
The Irish News

A leading dissident republican duped by an MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer was found guilty yesterday of trying to smuggle a huge cache of weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Paul McCaugherty (43) from Lurgan, Co Armagh, had no idea the arsenal he agreed to buy for more than EUR100,000 did not exist and he was instead being targeted by the security services in a two-year undercover sting operation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Real IRA

Dissident guilty of anti-tank gun plot

1 July 2010
Mirror
Maurice Fitzmaurice

MI5 sting snares republican

A DISSIDENT republican who tried to buy anti-tank rockets from MI5 agents was found guilty of conspiring to obtain arms and explosives yesterday.

"Roly-poly" Paul Anthony McCaugherty from Beech Court, Lurgan, Co Armagh. yawned as a Belfast Crown Court judge rejected defence claims he had been "entrapped or induced" by the "role-playing agent" known only as "Ali". The 43-year-old was one of three men arrested following a two-year operation between August 2004 and June 2006.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Two guilty over MI5 arms sting

Paul McCaugherty / Dermot Gregory

30 June 2010
UTV
Two men have been found guilty of attempting to smuggle weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland from an arms dealer who was an MI5 agent.

The Real IRA's arms procurer duped as he was wined and dined by a British Secret Service Agent in Amsterdam Brugges and Istanbul, was convicted of plotting to smuggle 104,000 euro of lethal weapons into Ireland.

Paul Anthony McCaugherty from Beech Court, Lurgan who boasted his dissident republican branch made the Omagh bomb, killing 29, including unborn twins, showed no emotion, and even yawned at the verdicts of Mr Justice Hart at Belfast Crown Court.

McCaugherty was one of three Co Armagh men arrested following a two year MI5 sting operation code-named Nare and Liburna, between August 2004 and June 2006.

Mr Justice Hart, who as a Diplock Judge tried the five-week case without a jury, rejected defence claims the 43-year-old had been 'entrapped or induced' by the "role-playing agent" known only as 'Ali'.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal

THE QUEEN v PAUL ANTHONY McCAUGHERTY and DERMOT DECLAN GREGORY

McCaugherty & Anor, R v [2010] NICC 28 (30 June 2010)
Neutral Citation No. [2010] NICC 28
Ref: HAR7901
Judgment: approved by the Court for handing down
Delivered: 30/06/10
(subject to editorial corrections)*

IN THE CROWN COURT SITTING IN BELFAST

________

THE QUEEN

-v-

PAUL ANTHONY McCAUGHERTY

DERMOT DECLAN GREGORY

(aka Michael Dermot)

________

HART J

[1] The defendants are charged with various offences connected with an operation carried out by the Security Service which commenced in August 2004 and culminated in the arrested of both defendants and their former co-defendant Desmond Paul Kearns, in June 2006. It will be necessary to consider the evidence relating to the charges in greater detail later in this judgment but it is necessary to say something about the history and nature of the operation in order to place the charges in context.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Dissident terrorist 'determined' to buy arms

30 June 2010
Press Association
David Young

A leading dissident republican duped by an MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer was found guilty today of trying to smuggle a huge cache of weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, from Lurgan, County Armagh, had no idea the arsenal he agreed to buy for more than 100,000 euros did not exist and he was instead being targeted by the Security Services in a two-year undercover sting operation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal

IRA dissident caught buying guns explosives

30 June 2010
The New Zealand Herald

DUBLIN - A self-described senior Irish Republican Army dissident has been convicted by a Belfast judge of trying to buy guns, explosives and other weapons from undercover British agents. The case against 43-year-old Paul McCaugherty featured testimony from two agents from the MI5 spy agency who posed as Middle Eastern arms dealers and recorded their conversations with McCaugherty from 2004 to 2006.

Belfast Justice Anthony Hart ruled overnight that MI5's body of evidence against McCaugherty was overwhelming. It included audiotape of McCaugherty describing himself as deputy commander of the Real IRA splinter group, and asking for myriad equipment including armor-piercing weapons, plastic explosive and sniper rifles. Hart says he will sentence McCaugherty at a later date.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

IRA dissident seeking guns caught in British sting

30 June 2010
Associated Press

A self-described senior Irish Republican Army dissident has been convicted by a Belfast judge of trying to buy guns, explosives and other weapons from undercover British agents.

The case against 43-year-old Paul McCaugherty featured testimony from two agents from the MI5 spy agency who posed as Middle Eastern arms dealers and recorded their conversations with McCaugherty from 2004 to 2006.

Belfast Justice Anthony Hart ruled Wednesday that MI5's body of evidence against McCaugherty was overwhelming. It included audiotape of McCaugherty describing himself as deputy commander of the Real IRA splinter group, and asking for myriad equipment including armor-piercing weapons, plastic explosive and sniper rifles.

Hart says he will sentence McCaugherty at a later date.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Man tried to smuggle weapons into NI

30 June 2010
RTE News

A leading dissident republican duped by an MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer was found guilty today of trying to smuggle a huge cache of weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court, Lurgan, Co Armagh, had no idea the arsenal he agreed to buy for more than €100,000 did not exist and he was instead being targeted by the Security Services in a two-year undercover sting operation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Northern Ireland man guilty of gun smuggling plot

30 June 2010 
Agence France Presse

A man in Northern Ireland caught in a sting operation mounted by British secret agents was found guilty Wednesday of trying to smuggle weapons and explosives into the province. Paul McCaugherty, 43, had attempted to import an arsenal worth more than 100,000 euros (123,000 dollars) from an MI5 agent posing as a dealer.

McCaugherty says he is a commander of the Real IRA dissident republican group, which claimed responsibility for shooting dead two British soldiers in the province last year.

Judge Anthony Hart, ruling in the non-jury case at Belfast Crown Court, said the evidence against McCaugherty was "extremely compelling".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

N. Irish militant found guilty in MI5 gun case

30 June 2010
Reuters News
Andras Gergely in Dublin / editing: David Stamp

A Northern Irish court found a Republican militant guilty on Wednesday of plotting to smuggle in weapons and explosives via a dealer, who turned out to be an agent of Britain's MI5 spy agency.

Paul McCaugherty, who had admitted to being a member of the Real IRA splinter group, had denied charges including conspiring to obtain arms and explosives and using money for the purposes of terrorism.

McCaugherty, 43, was one of three men from County Armagh arrested following an MI5 sting operation between 2004 and 2006.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Two guilty of Real IRA gun plot

30 June 2010
BBC

Two men on trial after an MI5 sting operation targeting a dissident republican gun smuggling plot have been found guilty by a judge in Belfast.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, of Beech Court in Lurgan was found guilty of attempting to import weapons and explosives from a dealer who was actually an MI5 agent.

Dermot Declan Gregory of Concession Road in Crossmaglen, was found guilty of making a Portuguese property available for the purpose of terrorism.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Man faces terrorist information charge

28 June 2010
The Irish News

A 43-year-old man is to appear in court today charged with possession of information likely to be of use to terrorists.

He was arrested in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Friday and is believed to have been questioned in connection with an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activity.

Continue Reading... Labels: Oglaigh na hEireann, Seamus McGuigan

Closing statements made in dissident gun-running trial

22 June 2010
The Irish News

A lawyer yesterday declared that it was "perfectly clear" that an alleged dissident republican was guilty of plotting to buy and smuggle guns and explosives.

The claim came from Gordon Kerr QC, prosecuting, as he made final submissions in the Belfast Crown Court trial of Co Armagh men Paul McCaugherty and Dermot Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot.

McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court in Lurgan faces a total of six charges including conspiring to get arms and explosives, IRA membership and three charges of using money for the purposes of terrorism.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Judgment reserved in MI5 arms sting case

22 June 2010
Belfast Telegraph

It is "perfectly clear" that an alleged dissident republican was guilty of plotting to buy and smuggle guns and explosives, a prosecutor has told Belfast Crown Court.

The claim was made by Gordon Kerr QC as he made final submissions in the trial of Co Armagh men Paul McCaugherty and Declan Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Verdict in IRA case due soon

22 June 2010
Mirror
Paul Higgins

A lawyer yesterday declared it was "perfectly clear" that an alleged dissident republican was guilty of plotting to buy and smuggle guns and explosives.

The claim came from prosecuting QC Gordon Kerr as he made final submissions in the Belfast Crown Court trial of Co Armagh men Paul McCaugherty and Declan Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Continue Reading...

MI5 weapons case judgement due

21 June 2010
BBC News

A judge in the non-jury trial of two men accused of terrorism charges has retired to consider his verdict.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court in Lurgan faces six charges including conspiring to obtain arms and explosives, IRA membership and using money for the purposes of terrorism.

Declan Gregory, 41, of Concession Road, Crossmaglen, denies two charges making property available to terrorists.

Mr Justice Hart is due to deliver his judgement soon.

During the course of the trial at Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice Hart heard that MI5 secret service agents posing as arms dealers mounted a two year operation between August 2004 and June 2006, directed against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Therese Murphy

Real IRA gun smuggling trial ends

21 June 2010
UTV
A lawyer has declared it was "perfectly clear" that an alleged dissident republican was guilty of plotting to buy and smuggle guns and explosives.

The claim came from prosecuting QC Gordon Kerr as he made final submissions in the Belfast Crown Court trial of County Armagh men Paul McCaugherty and Declan Gregory, AKA Michael Dermot.

McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court in Lurgan faces a total of six charges including conspiring to get arms and explosives, IRA membership and three charges of using money for the purposes of terrorism.

Gregory (41) from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, denies two charges of making property available to terrorists.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Therese Murphy

Gun accused freed over entrapment

19 June 2010
Irish Times

AN ARMAGH man accused of a gun smuggling plot walked free from court yesterday after the prosecution decided not to appeal a judge’s decision to stop the case.

Prosecution lawyer David McDowell told Mr Justice Hart in Belfast Crown Court that “we do not intend to appeal your Lordship’s ruling yesterday so the defendant can be discharged”.

Following an abuse-of-process application from defence QC Orlando Pownall on behalf of Desmond Kearns (44), Mr Justice Hart ruled an MI5 agent known as “Amir” had overstepped the mark to enter the area of entrapment.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Orlando Pownall, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Real IRA

Real IRA suspect caught in MI5 sting freed by judge

19 June 2010
The Guardian
Henry McDonald
Ruling that agent illegally entrapped defendant Blow to operation against alleged arms smuggling

An operation against an alleged Real IRA arms smuggling network suffered a blow yesterday after a judge ruled that MI5 had illegally entrapped one of the accused in a sting involving an undercover agent.

The case against Desmond Kearns, 44, at Belfast crown court was stopped by the judge, who decided that an MI5 agent known as Amir had tried to trap him.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent blamed for trial failure

19 June 2010
Mirror


RELEASED

A MAN accused of a gun smuggling plot walked free from court yesterday after the prosecution decided not to appeal a judge's decision to stop the case.

Following an application on behalf of 44-year-old Desmond Kearns from Lurgan, Co Armagh, Mr Justice Hart sitting in the Diplock, no jury court, ruled that an MI5 agent known only as 'Amir' had gone into the area of entrapment.

The judge said that given the evidence of two meetings between Amir and Kearns in particular, the Lurgan man acted in the way he did because he had been 'entrapped" during the operation against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

No challenge over decision to free arms plot

19 June 2010
Belfast Telegraph
Paul Higgins

A man who had been accused of a gun smuggling plot walked free from court yesterday after the prosecution decided not to appeal a judge's decision to stop the case.

Prosecution lawyer David McDowell told Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart: "We do not intend to appeal your Lordship's ruling yesterday so the defendant can be discharged."

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Orlando Pownall, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA suspect caught in MI5 sting freed by judge

18 June 2010
Guardian
Henry McDonald
Arms smuggling case against Desmond Kearns collapses after judge rules he was illegally entrapped by MI5 agent

An operation against an alleged Real IRA arms smuggling network suffered a blow today after a judge ruled that MI5 had illegally entrapped one of the accused in a sting involving an undercover agent.

The case against Desmond Kearns, 44, at Belfast crown court was stopped by the judge, who decided that an MI5 agent known as Amir had tried to trap him.

Kearns, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, had been charged alongside two others with attempting to smuggle arms and explosive for an alleged Real IRA operation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Judge halts arms plot trial over MI5 entrapment

18 June 2010
Belfast Telegraph

A MAN arrested in an MI5 sting against dissident Republicans could be freed if the prosecution does not contest a judge's ruling that a Secret Service agent over-stepped the mark.

Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart yesterday agreed to a defence application on behalf of Desmond Paul Kearns (44) that his trial be stopped because he'd been 'entrapped' by the agent known only as 'Amir'.

But the judge in the Diplock trial refused a similar application on behalf of one of Kearns' co-accused Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43). He was said to have tried to negotiate with another agent called 'Ali'.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Gun smuggling accused walks free

18 June 2010
 UTV News
A Co. Armagh man who had been accused of a gun smuggling plot walked free from court on Friday after the prosecution decided not to appeal a judge's decision to stop the case.

Prosecution lawyer David McDowell told Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart "we do not intend to appeal your Lordship's ruling ...so the defendant can be discharged".

Following an abuse of process application from defence QC Orlando Pownall on behalf of 44-year-old Desmond Kearns, Diplock, no jury judge Mr Justice Hart ruled that a secret service MI5 agent known only as 'Amir' had over-stepped the mark and gone into the area of entrapment.

In his ruling the judge said that having reviewed the evidence "the edifice of the prosecution case now rests on inadequate foundations and therefore that edifice cannot stand".

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Orlando Pownall, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy

Real IRA plot accused entrapped by MI5 rules judge

18 June 2010
BBC News

Court

A man accused of smuggling guns for the Real IRA has walked free from court after a judge ruled he had been wrongfully entrapped in an MI5 'sting'.

The case against Desmond Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan, collapsed on Friday.

He had been charged with attempting to smuggle arms and explosives from Europe in an alleged Real IRA arms operation.

But the case was stopped when a judge ruled that an MI5 agent, known only as Amir had "entrapped" him.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Therese Murphy

Arms plot trial ruling adjourned

16 June 2010
Mirror

A JUDGE yesterday adjourned a decision on whether MI5 overstepped the mark in an arms plot sting against dissident Republicans.

Lawyers for two of three Co Armagh men facing charges arising out of the action against the Real IRA, claim they were "entrapped" and it would be an "abuse of process" to continue with the Belfast Crown Court trial.

Diplock judge Mr Justice Hart, trying the case alone, said he hoped to give his ruling within a few days, if not by the start of next week.

Paul McCaugherty, 43, of Beech Court, Desmond Kearns, 44, of Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and Dermot Gregory, 41, also known as Michael Dermot from Concession Road, Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

The charges relate to an alleged plot to smuggle arms into Northern Ireland from Eastern Europe.

Gordon Kerr QC for the prosecution rejected the suggestion that Kearns or McCaugherty were the victims of entrapment.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Lawyers: gun-running accused 'are victims of MI5 entrapment'

16 June 2010
The Irish News

Judgment was reserved yesterday on whether MI5 over-stepped the mark in a two-year sting operation against dissident republicans.

Lawyers for two of three Co Armagh men facing charges arising out of the MI5 operation against the Real IRA claim they were "entrapped" and it would be an "abuse of process" to continue with their Belfast Crown Court trial.

Diplock judge Mr Justice Hart, trying the month-long case alone without a jury, said he hoped to give his ruling within a few days, if not by the beginning of next week.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Cigs smuggler was 'entrapped by MI5'

15 June 2010
Mirror
Lawyer wants case thrown out

THE case against one of three men facing charges after an MI5 operation against the Real IRA should be thrown out, his lawyer argued yesterday.

Orlando Pownell told judge Mr Justice Hart that it would be an "abuse of process" to continue with the Belfast Crown Court trial of Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Lurgan, Co Armagh.

The lawyer claimed the cigarette smuggler was "entrapped" as part of an intelligence-gathering operation by MI5 against weapon procurement in western Europe by the Real IRA.

That entrapment, he claimed, was carried out by one of the main prosecution witnesses, known only as Amir, a secret Service "role-playing operative". He was described by Mr Pownell as "a clever and trained individual" who used deceit to get his own way.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Smuggler 'entrapped' by MI5 argues lawyer

15 June 2010
The Irish News

The prosecution case against one of the three Co Armagh men facing charges arising out of an MI5 sting operation against the Real IRA should be thrown out, his lawyer has argued.

Defence QC Orlando Pownell told trial judge Mr Justice Hart that it would be an "abuse of process" to continue with the Belfast Crown Court trial of 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns from Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan.

The London-based lawyer said the cigarette smuggler was "entrapped" by MI5 operatives as part of an initial intelligence gathering operation by the Security Service against weapon procurement in western Europe by the Real IRA.

Mr Pownell submitted that this was the "most unusual case, if not unique... as it relates to entrapment".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 sting decision adjourned

15 June 2010
UTV News
A Belfast judge has adjourned his decision on whether the MI5 branch of the Secret Services over-stepped the mark in a two-year sting operation against dissident Republicans.

Lawyers for two of three Co Armagh men facing charges arising out of the MI5 operation against the Real IRA, claim they were "entrapped" and it would be an "abuse of process" to continue with their Belfast Crown Court trial.

Diplock judge Mr Justice Hart, trying the month-long case alone, without a jury, said he hoped to give his ruling within a few days, if not by the beginning of next week.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Accused entrapped in MI5 sting operation, court told

Belfast Telegraph
15 June 2010

The prosecution case against one of the three men facing charges arising out of an MI5 sting operation against the Real IRA should be thrown out, a court has heard.

Defence QC Orlando Pownall told trial judge Mr Justice Hart it would be an “abuse of process” to continue with the Belfast Crown Court trial of 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns, from Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Orlando Pownall, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA Guns accused 'entrapment victim'

BBC News
14 June 2010

A lawyer for one of three County Armagh men charged with gun-running for the Real IRA has said the case should be thrown out because of MI5 entrapment.

Orlando Pownell QC argued that it would be an abuse of process to continue with the trial of 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns from Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan.

The three men deny eight charges between them arising out of a two-year MI5 sting operation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Orlando Pownall, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA accused argues entrapment

14 June 2010
UTV News
The prosecution case against one of the three Co Armagh men facing charges after an MI5 sting against the Real IRA, should be dropped, his lawyer argued on Monday.

Defence QC Orlando Pownell told trial judge Mr Justice Hart that it would be an "abuse of process" to continue with the Belfast Crown Court trial, of 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns from Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan.

The top London-based lawyer claimed that the cigarette smuggler was "entrapped" by MI5 operatives as part of an initial intelligence gathering operation by the Security Service against weapon procurement in western Europe by the Real IRA .

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent says 'role player' was paid £3k

10 June 2010
The Irish News

The prosecution case against three Co Armagh men facing charges arising out of an MI5 sting operation against the Real IRA ended yesterday with yet more revelations of the workings of the Secret Service.

Among the details given was an admission that undercover operatives, or 'role players' as they were described during the month-long Belfast Crown Court trial, do get paid "bonuses".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Undercover MI5 spies 'paid performance bonus'

10 June 2010
Belfast Telegraph

Undercover MI5 agents get paid performance bonuses, it has been claimed at the trial of three men facing charges arising from a sting operation against a Real IRA arms smuggling plot.

As the prosecution of three Co Armagh men wound up at Belfast Crown Court yesterday, it was revealed that an agent involved in the sting — ‘Amir’ — was paid “performance bonuses” of £1,000 on three occasions.

Lurgan men Desmond Paul Kearns (44) and Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43), and Dermot Declan Gregory (41) from Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

One MI5 officer was asked if he was not aware of bonuses being paid, replied: “Of course I am aware that people get paid bonuses.” Another agent accepted that in “contact notes” reference was made that Amir had been paid bonuses totalling £3,000 in 2005.

Continue Reading... Labels: Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Real IRA

IRA said they'd kill me, woman tells court

4 June 2010 
Belfast Telegraph
Paul Higgins

A woman has told a court how she believed the IRA would kill her unless she handed over deeds to a Portuguese restaurant.

Theresa Murphy told Belfast Crown Court she and her former partner Owen McNamee had been running the Panda restaurant after it was bought by Crossmaglen man Dermot Declan Gregory (41), also known as Michael Dermot.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Owen McNamee, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Restaurateur tells court about threat

4 June 2010
The Irish News

Two men claiming to be from the IRA ordered a woman to hand over deeds to a Portuguese restaurant or she would "get it," a gun-smuggling trial has heard.

Giving evidence at the Belfast Crown Court trial of three Co Armagh men accused of a gun-smuggling plot, Theresa Murphy said she and her former partner Owen McNamee had been running the Panda restaurant after it was bought by one of the defendants, 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot from Concession Road in Crossmaglen.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Owen McNamee, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Restaurant owner was threatened by 'IRA men'

4 June 2010
Mirror
Paul Higgins
Three accused of weapons plot

Two men claiming to be IRA members ordered a woman to hand over deeds to a restaurant in Portugal or she'd "get it," a court heard yesterday.

Therese Murphy was giving evidence at the Belfast Crown Court trial of three men accused of a gun smuggling plot The witness said she and her ex partner Owen McNamee had run the restaurant after it was bought by defendant, 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, aka Michael Dermot, from Crossmaglen, Co Tyrone.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Owen McNamee, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

'Speak to the police if you condemn Omagh'

1 June 2010
Belfast Telegraph

(Note: Article is included due to Murphy's claim that Dermot Declan Gregory is an MI5 agent and was engaged in an elaborate plot to frame him. See: Colm Murphy Interview - MI5 agent in plot to frame me: dissident)

COLM Murphy, the only man ever convicted in connection with the Omagh bomb, should co-operate with the authorities if he condemns the atrocity, relatives of those killed have said.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Colm Murphy, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Omagh, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Omagh accused breaks his silence

1 June 2010
The Irish News
Allison Morris

The only man ever convicted in relation to the Omagh bombing has broken his silence over the Real IRA atrocity.

Leading dissident republican Colm Murphy said the attack in which 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died "should never have happened".

Describing events in Omagh on August 15 1998 as "awful, tragic" he said: "No-one in their right mind would say any different."

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Colm Murphy, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, Informer, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy

Colm Murphy Interview - MI5 agent in plot to frame me: dissident

1 June 2010
The Irish News
Allison Morris

Leading dissident republican Colm Murphy has alleged that a suspected British agent on trial in a MI5 case was engaged in an elaborate plot to frame him.

Dermot Declan Gregory (41), also known as Michael Dermot, is standing trial at Belfast Crown Court in a gun-running case in which MI5 witnesses are giving evidence in an Irish court for the first time in decades.

Along with John McCaugherty and Desmond Kearns, Mr Gregory is charged with raising funds for paramilitaries and trying to procure weapons for the Real IRA.

Murphy alleges that Mr Gregory gave a full account of his spying activities and agreed to give a press conference outlining the details.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Colm Murphy, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy

Accused 'talked of weapons plot'

27 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

AN alleged dissident republican told an undercover MI5 agent that his "friends" had bought a rundown house in the south of France to store guns bound for the Real IRA in Northern Ireland, a court heard yesterday.

The agent, known as Ali, told Belfast Crown Court that the disclosure came at a meeting in Belgium with Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, one of three men on trial for a plot to smuggle weapons.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Friends had 'house for RIRA guns'

27 May 2010
Mirror
Ivan Little

An alleged dissident republican told a secret service agent that "friends" had bought a house in France to store guns bound for the Real IRA, a court heard yesterday. The agent known as "Ali" told Belfast Crown Court the claim came at a meeting in Belgium with Paul Anthony John McCaugherty one of three men accused of smuggling weapons to the country.

The witness also said McCaugherty mentioned a trailer in Spain which had been fitted with a false floor and lead plates to deflect scanners from finding hidden weapons. McCaugherty, of Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and Dermot Declan Gregory, 41, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny eight charges.

It's alleged McCaugherty also told Ali about a fraud pyramid scheme.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Dissident Threat - Trial told of house in France for guns cache

27 May 2010
The Irish News

An alleged dissident republican told an undercover MI5 agent that his "friends" had bought a run-down house in the south of France to store guns bound for the Real IRA in Northern Ireland, a trial heard yesterday.

The agent, known only as 'Ali', told Belfast Crown Court that the disclosure came during a meeting in Bruges, Belgium, with Paul McCaugherty, one of three men on trial over a plot to smuggle weapons.

The witness said McCaugherty, who was calling himself 'Tim', told him that the house in a small village had been bought for EUR23,000 (about £19,000) and that EUR5,000 or EUR6,000 would be needed to make it habitable.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Alleged dissident republican ‘discussed weapons plot’

27 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

An alleged dissident republican told an undercover MI5 agent that his “friends” had bought a rundown house in the south of France to store guns bound for the Real IRA in Northern Ireland, a court has heard.

The agent, known as Ali, told Belfast Crown Court that the disclosure came at a meeting in Belgium with Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, one of three men on trial for a plot to smuggle weapons.

The witness said McCaugherty, who called himself Tim, told him that the house in a small village in France had been purchased for €23,000 and another €5,000 to €6,000 would be spent on it to make it habitable.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Dissident guns 'meant to be stored in France

26 May 2010
BBC News

An alleged dissident republican told an undercover secret service agent that his "friends" had bought a rundown house in the south of France.

The premises were to be used to store guns bound for the Real IRA in Northern Ireland the agent, known only as "Ali," told Belfast Crown Court.

The disclosure came during a meeting with Paul Anthony John McCaugherty in Bruges in Belgium.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

French house intended as RIRA gun store

26 May 2010
UTV News
A rundown house in the south of France was to be used to store guns bound for the Real IRA in Northern Ireland, a court has heard.

An alleged dissident republican made the claim to an undercover secret service agent in Belgium.

The agent - known only as 'Ali' - told Belfast Crown Court about the revelation allegedly made by weapons-plot accused Paul Anthony McCaugherty during a meeting in Bruges.

McCaugherty is one of three men on trial over the plot to smuggle weapons into Northern Ireland.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Alleged dissident told agent of Omagh responsibility

26 May 2010
The Irish Times

An alleged dissident republican told an undercover secret service agent that “his organisation was responsible” for building the Omagh bomb. (Blogger note: Profiles of innocents murdered HERE.  List of some of the over 220 innocent people injured HERE.)

Giving evidence at Belfast Crown Court from behind screens the agent, known only as “Ali” claimed that during a conversation about weaponry, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) who was calling himself “Tim”, told him he was from the Real IRA and that he had the full support of it’s leaders to buy weaponry.

Ali added: “On mentioning the Real IRA I remembered two incidents, one is the Omagh bomb. He said that his organisation built the bomb but the other one was responsible for not only activating it but for placing it where it was placed . . . and that the other organisation, which he didn’t mention, was responsible for the big number of victims because they did not inform the police in time to evacuate the area.”

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent in Omagh bomb claim

25 May 2010
UTV News

Giving evidence at Belfast Crown Court from behind screens, the agent - known only as 'Ali' - claimed that during a conversation about weaponry, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, who is 43, told him he was from the Real IRA.

He also told him that he had the full support of its leaders to buy weaponry.

Ali added: "On mentioning the Real IRA I remembered two incidents, one is the Omagh bomb."

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Index

Moved to stand-alone page HERE

(With apologies for any confusion.  The case is currently (May 2010) underway and the index is being buried as articles are added.)

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Secret agent gives Omagh bomb evidence

25 May 2010 
UTV News

An alleged dissident republican told an undercover secret service agent that "his organisation was responsible" for building the Omagh bomb.

Giving evidence at Belfast Crown Court from behind screens, the agent - known only as 'Ali' - claimed that during a conversation about weaponry, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, who is 43, told him he was from the Real IRA.

He also told him that he had the full support of its leaders to buy weaponry.

Continue Reading... Labels: Ali, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Second spy in 'dissident arms' trial

25 May 2010
Mirror

A second Secret Services agent began giving evidence yesterday in the alleged dissident weapons trial.

Three Co Armagh men, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

Earlier, the first agent, known only as Amir, had told Belfast Crown Court he'd never wanted to give evidence. He maintained he was no "agent provocateur" in an MI5 sting operation and at all times his "guide" was his "moral compass".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 officer: I didn’t act as agent provocateur

25 May 2010 
Belfast Telegraph

An undercover MI5 agent involved in a sting against an alleged dissident republican arms smuggling operation has told a court he did not act as an agent provocateur.

In his last day in the witness box at Belfast Crown Court, the operative, known only as ‘Amir’, insisted that at all times he was guided by his “moral compass”.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Agent: No bonus was ever paid

21 May 2010
Mirror
Paul Higgins

An undercover agent giving evidence against alleged dissident republicans yesterday denied getting paid bonuses. He was giving evidence at the Belfast Crown Court of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a arms smuggling plot. The agent, known only as Amir, claimed he was paid between £200 and £300 for every day he worked.

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court, 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, Co Armagh and Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory, 41, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

The prosecution claim between August 2004 and June 2006, Kearns, acted as a go-between, McCaugherty handled the money and negotiated the deals, and Gregory handled a restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.


***

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent 'doesn't know' why bosses said account full of spin

21 May 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

An MI5 agent at the centre of a Real IRA arms smuggling trial says he has no idea why his bosses raised concerns that his evidence was full of "spin" and was "inaccurate".

The agent, codenamed 'Amir', was giving evidence at the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with an alleged Real IRA plot to smuggle guns and explosives from mainland Europe to Northern Ireland in 2005/2006.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Orlando Pownall, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Bonus pay allegations are untrue, MI5 agent tells court

21 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph
Paul Higgins

An undercover Secret Service agent giving evidence against three alleged dissident republicans has denied being paid bonuses. Under cross-examination at Belfast Crown Court, the agent known as ‘Amir' claimed he was paid between £200 and £300 for every day he worked on an operation. He told Orlando Pownall QC that if there was a bonus scheme “they must have forgotten to tell me about it”.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Orlando Pownall, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Trial over murder of city man is halted in Algarve

21 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph
Clare Weir

THE trial of two men accused of murdering a Londonderry businessman in the Algarve has been dramatically halted after a key witness admitted lying over evidence. Paul Houston, who owned Houston Shoes on the Strand Road in Derry, was on a family holiday last September when he was attacked.

The 51-year-old father-of-four, was found dead at Alvor in Portugal. He had been enjoying a break in the Algarve with his wife Celine and friends, Phillip and Marian Devlin. Mr Houston had lived in Donegal and was president of Greencastle Golf Club.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Donegal, Portugal

Dissident accused refused bail

10 May 2010
UTV News

A south Armagh man has appeared in court in Newry on charges related to suspected dissident republican activity.

Dermot Declan Gregory, 41, of Concession Road, Crossmaglen has been charged with providing money and property to the value of at least €20,000, knowing or suspecting that they would be used or may be used for the purposes of terrorism. The offences are alleged to have been committed on dates between 1 January 2006 and 7 May 2010.

Gregory is further charged with having ammunition in suspicious circumstances last Friday.

An application for bail was refused after the prosecution claimed the defendant was liable to commit further offences and was likely to interfere with witnesses. Gregory was remanded in custody to appear at Newry Magistrates court again on 2 June.

Continue Reading... Labels: Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Michael Dermot, Real IRA

MI5 agent claims he was forced into court

12 May 2010
The Irish News

An MI5 agent has given evidence in a Belfast court for the first time in more than 20 years. But the Security Services undercover operative giving evidence against three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called dissident IRA international arms smuggling plot, says he is being forced to give evidence.

The agent, known only as Amir, claimed police told him he "had been f**ked over" by his "MI5" bosses and that he would have to sign his witness statement and give evidence at the men's Belfast Crown Court trial.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent: I am being forced to give evidence

12 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

The Security Services’ undercover operative giving evidence against three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called dissident IRA international arms smuggling plot has claimed he is being forced to give evidence. The operative, known only as Amir, claimed police told him he “had been f****d over” by his “MI5” bosses and that he would have to sign his witness statement and give evidence at the men's Belfast Crown Court trial.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness had wanted a medal from the queen

12 May 2010
The Irish News

The Irish News revealed last October that M15 agent 'Amir' wanted £650,000 and a medal from the queen to give evidence in a Real IRA arms trail.

In a letter to MI5, revealed by The Irish News at the time, Amir's solicitor wrote: "I would invite you to agree to pay to my client the sum of £450,000 within 28 days in full and final settlement of his current claims. "Please also confirm that you will agree to a life contingency payment of £200,000." In later correspondence, Amir also demanded a £30,000 'retainer'.

Amir further claimed that MI5 had promised him a honour from the Queen, only to have it withdrawn after refusing to give evidence.

In an internal MI5 memo, his handlers wrote: "Amir raised the fact that he had been told by the (redacted) that an honour was long overdue and that he had 'definitely been put down for one and it had gone through various people and it is on the desk of somebody'."

Continue Reading... Labels: Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Kearns 'frustrated' at slow pace of deal

11 May 2010
Mirror
Court hears undercover agent's secret recordings

A court heard recordings of secretly taped meetings between an undercover agent and men accused of involvement in a dissident republican arms smuggling plot yesterday. A witness, known only as Amir, was again hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except for trial judge Mr Justice Hart and prosecution and defence lawyers.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Undercover operative 'forced' to give evidence

11 May 2010 
UTV News

The Security Services undercover operative giving evidence against three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called dissident IRA international arms smuggling plot, has claimed he is being forced to give evidence. The operative, known only as Amir, claimed police told him that he would have to sign his witness statement and give evidence at the men's Belfast Crown Court trial.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness says accused's friends 'interested' in a weapons deal

11 May 2010
The Irish News

For a second day running a security services undercover operative has been giving evidence in the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was again hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, save for Mr Justice Hart and the various prosecution and defence lawyers.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Plot suspect on separate charges

11 May 2010
The Irish News

One of the defendants in the international arms smuggling trial before Belfast Crown Court also appeared before Newry Magistrates Court yesterday on separate charges related to suspected dissident republican activity.

Dermot Declan Gregory (41) of Concession Road, Crossmaglen, was charged with providing money and property to the value of at least EUR20,000, (£17,000) knowing or suspecting that they may be used for the purposes of terrorism.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on dates between January 1 2006 and May 7 2010.
Gregory is further charged with having ammunition in suspicious circumstances last Friday.

An application for bail was refused.

Gregory was remanded in custody to appear again on June 2.

Gregory and two others deny a total of eight charges before Belfast Crown Court in connection with an international arms smuggling plot.

Gregory is accused of making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

The trial has already met with controversy after lawyers for his co-defendants demanded clarification over allegations that Gregory was an MI5 agent and that they had been entrapped by security services.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness says accused's friends 'interested' in a weapons deal

11 May 2010
The Irish News

For a second day running a security services undercover operative has been giving evidence in the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was again hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, save for Mr Justice Hart and the various prosecution and defence lawyers.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 trial man on further charges

10 May 2010
BBC News

One of three men on trial as a result of an MI5 operation against an alleged Real IRA gun smuggling plot has been remanded in custody on further charges. Dermot Declan Gregory, 42, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen is accused of providing money or property for the purposes of terrorism.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1 January, 2006 and 7 May, 2007. He is also charged with having ammunition on May 7, 2010. Gregory and two others are on trial at Belfast Crown Court following a two-year undercover operation by the security services.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, MI5, Michael Dermot, Portugal, Real IRA

Dissident arms trial continues

10 May 2010
UTV News

The trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans has again heard evidence from a security services undercover operative. Known only as Amir, the witness was hidden from public view in Belfast Crown Crown - seen only by trial judge Mr Justice Hart, prosecution and defence lawyers.

Between them the trio - Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court; Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan; and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory from Concession Road in Crossmaglen - deny a total of eight charges.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 'sting' meetings revealed

10 May 2010
BBC News

A court has heard further recordings of conversations between an MI5 operative and a man, alleged to be one of the defendants in an arms smuggling case. The operative, known only as "Amir", was hidden in Belfast Crown Court as he gave more evidence of his role.

On trial are Paul McCaughtery, 43, of Beech Court, and Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, Tannaghmore Green, both in Lurgan. Along with Dermot Declan Gregory, 41, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, they deny eight charges between them.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent tells court of RIRA arms plot

7 May 2010
The Irish News

A security services undercover operative has started to give evidence from behind screens in the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with what has been described as an international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans. The witness, known only as Amir, was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers.

The witness, who spoke with an English accent, did not reveal which branch of the security services he was working for but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 'sting' against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Agent gives evidence in arms plot trial

7 May 2010
The Guardian
Owen Bowcott

An intelligence agent began giving evidence yesterday against three Northern Irish men accused of involvement in a dissident republican arms-smuggling plot. The man, identified only as "Amir", appeared at Belfast crown court but was partially screened. The undercover operative did not identify his branch of the security services but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Between them the County Armagh men - Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, and Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, both from Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot, from Crossmaglen - deny a total of seven charges.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent 'Met Real IRA suspect'

7 May 2010
Mirror
Jilly Beattie
Evidence tells of smuggle plot

An MI5 spook started giving evidence yesterday in the trial of three men charged in connection with "an international arms smuggling plot". The witness was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers.

The witness, referred to as Amir, did not reveal which branch of the security services he was working for but at an earlier hearing the court was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA. The accused, Paul McCaugherty, 43, and Desmond Kearns, 44, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, and 41-year-old Dermot Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot, from Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

Mr McCaugherty faces all seven charges, including conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost EUR46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of IRA and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Kearns is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent: I discussed arms deal with accused

7 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

An undercover intelligence agent has started giving evidence from behind screens in the trial of three Co Armagh men in connection with what has been described as an international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers. The witness, who spoke with an English accent, didn't reveal which security service he was working for, but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness gives evidence at 'M15' case

6 May 2010
UTV News
An intelligence agent has started to give evidence from behind screens in the trial of three County Armagh men charged in connection with what has been described as an international arms smuggling plot by dissident Republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers. The witness, who spoke with an English accent, didn't reveal which branch of the security services he was working for but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness talks at 'MI5 sting' case

6 May 2010
BBC News

An intelligence agent has started giving evidence in the trial of three NI men charged in connection with "an international arms smuggling plot". The witness was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Trio on trial over gun-smuggling plot

6 May 2010
Newsletter

Three Co Armagh men arrested following a two-year operation directed by "role-playing officers from the Security Services" yesterday went on trial in Belfast.

While no direct reference was made as to which branch of the "Security Services" was involved, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart was told at an earlier hearing the case involved an MI5 sting operation against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent first to testify in north in more than 20 years

6 May 2010
The Irish News

An MI5 agent will today become the first to give evidence in a Northern Ireland court in more than 20 years when he testifies against three Co Armagh men implicated in a Real IRA gun-smuggling plot.

Paul McCaugherty (43), of Beech Court, and Desmond Kearns (44), of Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and Dermot Gregory (41) - also known as Michael Dermot - of Concession Road in Crossmaglen, went on trial yesterday charged with involvement in a plot to smuggle explosives and dozens of weapons into Northern Ireland in 2006.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Owen McNamee, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Republican 'told MI5 his group made Omagh bomb'

6 May 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

An alleged Real IRA leader boasted to MI5 that his organisation had built the 1998 Omagh bomb, Belfast Crown Court heard yesterday.

However, Lurgan republican Paul McCaugherty - on trial over an alleged arms smuggling plot with two other Co Armagh men - said another dissident group had "screwed it up", leading to the massacre of 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Entrapment, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Court told of MI5's two-year operation to foil weapons plot

6 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

Three men arrested following a two-year MI5 sting operation have gone on trial in Belfast accused of involvement in an international Real IRA gun smuggling plot.

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43), from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44), from Tannaghmore Green, both in Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, aka Michael Dermot, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

3 face terror weapons trial after 'spy sting'

6 May 2010
Mirror
Trio 'wanted to restart' the Troubles

Three men were arrested over an alleged Europe-wide plot to buy weapons after a two-year British secret service sting operation, a court heard yesterday.

The suspects are also accused of conspiring to buy cigarettes in a deal stretching to Holland, Portugal and Turkey. Belfast Crown Court heard one of the suspects alleged he made the Omagh bomb and said his organisation had EUR100,000 to "restart things" in Northern Ireland.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Arms plot accused's group built Omagh bomb, court told

6 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

AN ALLEGED Real IRA member boasted to an undercover MI5 operative that his organisation had built the 1998 Omagh bomb -- but gave it away to "others", a court has heard.

Belfast Crown Court heard Lurgan republican Paul McCaugherty, on trial over a suspected arms smuggling plot, told the operative that the device which killed 29 people was given to a separate dissident organisation which had "screwed it up".

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent gives evidence in Real IRA arms plot trial

6 May 2010
The Guardian
Owen Bowcott
Man identified only as "Amir" tells of attaching himself to accused man in Luxembourg and offering weapons

An intelligence agent began giving evidence today against three Northern Irish men accused of involvement in a dissident republican arms-smuggling plot.

The man, identified only as "Amir", appeared at Belfast crown court but was partially screened. The undercover operative, who spoke with an English accent, did not identify his branch of the security services but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Between them the County Armagh men – Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, and Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, both from Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot, from Crossmaglen – deny a total of seven charges.

McCaugherty is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost €46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of "the Irish Republican army", and making the deeds of a restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism. Kearns is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, and Gregory of the restaurant charge.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Suspected dissidents held over fears of poll terror plot

6 May 2010
Irish Independent
Tom Brady

FIVE men were in police custody last night after a cross-border clampdown on dissident republicans aimed at preventing a terrorist outrage to coincide with the British general election.

The suspects were detained by the PSNI and the gardai following a series of raids by armed officers.

Continue Reading... Labels: Real IRA

Arms trial held up as QC is stranded

Volcanic ash flights disruption - Arms trial held up as QC is stranded
5 May 2010
The Irish News

A major dissident arms smuggling trial had to be postponed for 24 hours after a leading barrister due to take part in the case was stranded in London by the volcanic ash cloud. Orlando Pownall QC had been due to be present at the opening of the trial of three Co Armagh men charged with a Real IRA gun smuggling plot. However, as the trial was due to open yesterday, Mr Justice McLaughlin was informed that the top British barrister had been unable to fly from his home in London because flights over Irish airspace were grounded.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informer, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Orlando Pownall, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Golfer beaten to death after offering pair drink

5 May 2010 
Mirror
Tom Worden
Accused 'sorry' for family

Two men beat an Irish holidaymaker to death after he offered to buy them a drink, a court heard yesterday.  Diego Dias, 20, and 28-year-old Jones Sousa dos Santos admitted fighting with businessmen Paul Houston, 51, after a night out in the seaside town of Alvor in Portugal.  But the men, both Brazilian, denied murder when they appeared in a court in the town of Portimao yesterday.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Donegal, Portugal

Accused 'wanted AK 47s, pistols'

5 May 2010
BBC NEWS:

A man charged after an MI5 sting told an undercover operative he needed "explosives, pistols, AK 47s, armour-piercing stuff", a court has heard. Paul McCaugherty of Beech Court, Lurgan was one of three County Armagh men arrested after the two-year operation.

The others are Desmond Kearns from Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan, and Dermot Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot, from Concession Road, Crossmaglen. A judge at an earlier hearing was told the sting targeted the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Owen McNamee, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy, Therese Murphy

Dissident MI5 op trial starts

05 May 2010
UTV News

Three Co Armagh men arrested following a two-year operation directed by "role playing officers from the Security Services" have gone on trial in Belfast.

Whilst no direct reference as to which branch of the 'Security Services' was involved, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart was told at an earlier hearing the case involved an MI5 sting operation against the Real IRA.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Praia da Luz to Alvor

 

Click on Map for larger image

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, MI5, Portugal

Brief Explanation: Real IRA smuggling operation in Alvor, Portugal

Blogger Note:

An explanation may be in order...

The reason I have included information about the Real IRA smuggling operation tied to Alvor, Portugal is because Alvor is very close to Praia da Luz, where Madeleine McCann "disappeared".

I am in NOT alleging that dissident republicans had anything to do with Madeleine's fate.

If anything, in my opinion, it is possible that there may have been British intelligence operations underway in the Algarve, and this could possibly explain at least some of the subsequent events that occurred in the McCann case.

This is only a theory, and could well be one without merit. However, I do intend to continue to add news articles regarding the smuggling trial set to have begun today in Belfast and wanted to explain why I am doing this.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Foreign Office, Madeleine McCann, MI5, MI6, Portugal, Real IRA

Terror chiefs plan vote day bomb strike

2 May 2010 
The News of the World

Fears were growing that dissident republicans are planning a terror attack in the run up to Thursday's election. Cop checkpoints were increased across Northern Ireland from Friday in a bid by security forces to prevent any bomb attacks. Security sources reckon the thugs behind two recent bombs in Newry and Holywood, Co Down are set to strike with a left-over supply of explosives.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Culloville man accused of being an MI5 informer

4 May 2010
The Examiner
Brónagh Murphy

A Culloville man has been informed by police of a threat to his life amid allegations that he is an MI5 agent. It’s believed the PSNI visited Dermot Declan Gregory, of Concession Road, in recent days to advise him that his life is in danger.

Gregory - who is also known as Michael Dermot - is accused, along with Paul McCaugherty and Desmond Kearns from Lurgan, of attempting to procure arms from Europe for use by dissident republicans. The three were arrested in 2006.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informer, MI5, Michael Dermot, Oglaigh na hEireann, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Threat to "MI5 man" puts trial in doubt

1 May 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

A major dissident arms trial is in jeopardy after one of the accused was warned by police that he is under death threat over claims he is an MI5 agent. South Armagh man Dermot Declan Gregory (41), also known as Michael Dermot, is due to go on trial on Tuesday in connection with a dissident republican attempt to smuggle guns from mainland Europe in 2005.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informer, MI5, Michael Dermot, Oglaigh na hEireann, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

IRA terrorists were based in the Algarve

6 Nov 2009
Express
Hugo Franco

Google Translation (with apologies and request for more accurate translation. Original Article HERE)

Two operational Irish kept explosives in a restaurant in Alvor are on trial for murder in Belfast.

Panda Grill does not serve pints of Guinness or transmit games between Liverpool and Arsenal in the plasma display. Is a restaurant Algarve typical of bifanas and grilled fish, away from noisy pubs frequented by foreigners in the center of Alvor.

It was at that location that Paul Anthony McCaugherty , 43, and Michael Gregory, 41, two citizens of Northern Ireland, met to negotiate the purchase and sale of weapons between 2005 and 2006.

This week is being tried in Belfast, suspected of belonging to the Real IRA, a dissident faction of the Republican army (IRA).

Continue Reading... Labels: Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Real IRA suspects unmasked

15 March 2009
The Sunday Life
Ciaran McGuigan
Spotlight falls on accused as cops make arrests over soldier killings

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty accused of trying to buy weapons and explosives for real IRA.

 
This is the man accused of being behind a plot to import tonnes of weapons into Ulster for the Real IRA. Our main picture shows the man cops have accused of being the Number Two in the dissident republican organisation responsible for gunning down two soldiers in cold blood last Saturday night.

Continue Reading... Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Panda Restaurant, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA