Men appear in court charged with directing terrorism in NI after investigation in to New IRA

By PA reporter

Two men have appeared in court charged with directing terrorism in Northern Ireland following an investigation into the New IRA involving MI5.

Shea Reynolds, 26, and Patrick McDaid, 50, were accused of attending a meeting in Omagh, Co Tyrone, as part of their activities.

They are also accused of IRA membership. The offences relate to earlier this year up until last month.

Reynolds, from Belvedere Manor in Lurgan in Co Armagh, was charged with four offences.

These included conspiracy to possess Semtex explosives to endanger life and intending to commit acts of terrorism through attending the meeting in Omagh.

McDaid, from Magowan Park in Londonderry, faces three charges including intending to commit acts of terrorism.

A senior investigating detective told Laganside Court there was MI5 involvement and believed he could connect the accused to the charges.

He added: “I made clear it is the PSNI who are conducting this investigation.”

Neither men spoke in response to the charges.

There was no application for bail.