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