Royal Marine admits to stashing explosives in preparation for Northern Ireland-style terror attack

Terror charges: Ciaran Maxwell pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey
PA
Chloe Chaplain3 February 2017
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A Royal Marine has admitted to hoarding explosives and bombs in order to prepare for a Northern Ireland-related terror attack.

Ciaran Maxwell, 31, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday to preparation of terrorist acts between 2011 and 2016.

According to the charge details, Maxwell, from Devon, had a stash of explosives in purpose-built hides in England and Northern Ireland.

He compiled a library of terrorism documents, including instructions on how to make explosives and tactics used by terrorist organisations.

Explosive stash: a barrel containing weapons, which were recovered from a 'terrorist hide' in woodland at Capanagh Forest
PA

He also had maps, plans and lists of potential targets for a terrorist attack and images of an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card and a PSNI uniform.

He bought chemicals and components and went on to manufacture explosives and devices, the court heard.

Maxwell was also charged with possessing images of bank cards for fraud and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

He appeared before Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey via video link from Woodhill jail and spoke only to confirm his name and enter guilty pleas to all the charges.

Terror attack: ammunition were recovered from a 'terrorist hide'
PA

Maxwell was arrested on August 24 by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's counter-terrorism command, supported by Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police.

The court heard that Maxwell stashed in his hides a range of explosive substances, devices, and components as well as ammunition, weapons, and tools for making bombs.

Maxwell, originally from Larne, Co Antrim, was arrested in a pre-planned operation believed to have been linked to the discovery of two dissident arsenals in woodland in Northern Ireland earlier in 2016.

Officers searched a house in Exminster in Devon and nearby Powderham New Plantation woods.

Guilty: The marine admitted to stashing explosives (pictured) and planning an attack
PA

In Northern Ireland, officers searched a number of properties in Larne, near the two forest parks where the weapons dumps were earlier unearthed.

It has since emerged that at the age of 16, Maxwell was the victim of a savage sectarian beating in his home town.

He suffered a fractured skull and multiple other injuries when a gang of loyalists attacked him with iron bars and golf clubs.

During his recovery he recounted the incident to republican newspaper An Phoblacht in an article that was accompanied by a picture showing the extent of his injuries.

Commander Dean Haydon of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command acknowledged the "excellent" joint work between the Northern Ireland force and the UK national counter terrorism network.

He said: "This investigation resulted in a significant disruption and protected public safety by removing a large quantity of dangerous material from circulation."

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin, of PSNI, said: "Working together, we have disrupted the activity of a dangerous individual and removed a very significant threat."

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