Syria terror suspect 'went to help the people'

A man accused of terrorism charges linked to the Syrian civil war has said he went to help the people there.

Eamon Bradley, 28, from Londonderry, denies six charges, including attending a terrorist training camp and receiving training in the use of a grenade.

The offences are alleged to have been committed between March and October 2014.

He told police he had been put in a group known as the Army of Islam.

During interviews, he said: "I went to help the people. I wanted to be among those who were being bombed.

"I just wanted to be there and then I could say to Allah at least I was there to do something."

He got the bus from his home on the Benview Estate in Londonderry to Dublin Airport and then flew to Istanbul and Adana on Turkey's border in February 2014, paying £250 for the air fare, the interview note disclosed.

The record was read out during Bradley's trial at Londonderry Crown Court.

The former heavy drinker converted to Islam and used Facebook and WhatsApp to make contact with people in Turkey who suggested how he could travel to the Syrian border, transcripts read to the jury revealed.

He had watched footage of the war on television.

He said: "The killing of babies, this is what brought me there."

He claimed the world had just sat back and watched.

"No-one was helping them."

He said nothing he did overthrew the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is still the ruler.

The trial continues.