ARMS-SMUGGLING ACCUSED OBTAINED FALSE PASSPORT
Arms-smuggling accused 'obtained false passport'
DETECTIVES have been investigating claims that a dissident republican wanted over an alleged international arms-smuggling plot had obtained a false British passport.
Belfast Recorders Court heard police had been told Liam Campbell, one of the men being sued over the Omagh bombing, had applied for the passport under a false name.
Details were disclosed as Campbell (46) was refused bail while a judge decides whether extradition proceedings against him should be held in Belfast or in Dublin, where proceedings have been taking place for nearly six months.
Campbell, an alleged Real IRA leader from Upper Faughart in Dundalk, Co Louth, is being sought in Lithuania over a suspected operation to acquire and ship guns, ammunition, explosives, projectors, detonators and timers from the Baltic nation to Ireland.
He was arrested in south Armagh last month, apparently by police who rammed his car, after crossing the border into the village of Bessbrook to take his wife to work.
Campbell was initially questioned for four days under the Terrorism Act in connection with the Omagh bombing before being released without charge.
He is one of five men defending a multi-million-pound civil action brought by some of those bereaved in the bombing. Following his release the dissident was arrested again under a European arrest warrant issued in relation to the weapons allegations.
Recorder of Belfast Judge Tom Burgess was told yesterday a senior counsel, Edward Fitzgerald QC, had been instructed as part of Campbell's attempts to have the court battle kept in the Republic.
The suspect's solicitor, Peter Corrigan, urged the judge to release his client on bail until the next hearing later this month.
Mr Corrigan told the court that Campbell had complied with all conditions imposed in Dublin and that an address with a 66-year-old man who lived alone in Newry, Co Down, was available.
However, Stephen Ritchie, for the Lithuanian authorities, opposed bail because of Campbell's convictions for Real IRA membership and alleged senior role within the paramilitary group.
"There is an investigation which is into the obtaining by Mr Campbell of a British, UK passport in the name of a John Campbell," Mr Ritchie told the court.
"The information came from the identification and passport agency. Police are investigating that."
The barrister handed in a photograph to the court and confirmed that facial mapping could be used to resolve any dispute over whether it showed the suspect.
"It does need time but it can take place and it's as good as fingerprinting," he said.
"It will establish whether it is the requested person."
Judge Burgess refused the bail application.
"At this point before this court and at this stage, given the background to his arrest... I will remand the defendant in custody," he said.
DETECTIVES have been investigating claims that a dissident republican wanted over an alleged international arms-smuggling plot had obtained a false British passport.
Belfast Recorders Court heard police had been told Liam Campbell, one of the men being sued over the Omagh bombing, had applied for the passport under a false name.
Details were disclosed as Campbell (46) was refused bail while a judge decides whether extradition proceedings against him should be held in Belfast or in Dublin, where proceedings have been taking place for nearly six months.
Campbell, an alleged Real IRA leader from Upper Faughart in Dundalk, Co Louth, is being sought in Lithuania over a suspected operation to acquire and ship guns, ammunition, explosives, projectors, detonators and timers from the Baltic nation to Ireland.
He was arrested in south Armagh last month, apparently by police who rammed his car, after crossing the border into the village of Bessbrook to take his wife to work.
Campbell was initially questioned for four days under the Terrorism Act in connection with the Omagh bombing before being released without charge.
He is one of five men defending a multi-million-pound civil action brought by some of those bereaved in the bombing. Following his release the dissident was arrested again under a European arrest warrant issued in relation to the weapons allegations.
Recorder of Belfast Judge Tom Burgess was told yesterday a senior counsel, Edward Fitzgerald QC, had been instructed as part of Campbell's attempts to have the court battle kept in the Republic.
The suspect's solicitor, Peter Corrigan, urged the judge to release his client on bail until the next hearing later this month.
Mr Corrigan told the court that Campbell had complied with all conditions imposed in Dublin and that an address with a 66-year-old man who lived alone in Newry, Co Down, was available.
However, Stephen Ritchie, for the Lithuanian authorities, opposed bail because of Campbell's convictions for Real IRA membership and alleged senior role within the paramilitary group.
"There is an investigation which is into the obtaining by Mr Campbell of a British, UK passport in the name of a John Campbell," Mr Ritchie told the court.
"The information came from the identification and passport agency. Police are investigating that."
The barrister handed in a photograph to the court and confirmed that facial mapping could be used to resolve any dispute over whether it showed the suspect.
"It does need time but it can take place and it's as good as fingerprinting," he said.
"It will establish whether it is the requested person."
Judge Burgess refused the bail application.
"At this point before this court and at this stage, given the background to his arrest... I will remand the defendant in custody," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/1001
Published Date: 02-Jun-09
Related Images
