AN IRISH Royal Marine, Ciarán Maxwell, pleaded guilty to terrorism offences at the Old Bailey on Friday, February 3.
Maxwell, 31, of Exminster, Devon and formally of Larne, Co. Antrim, also pleaded guilty to drugs and fraud offences.
He was first arrested in August 2016 as part of a pre-planned intelligence-led operation.
Maxwell appeared via video link from Woodhill Prison and spoke only to confirm his name and enter guilty pleas to all the charges.
He admitted that between January 1, 2011 and August 24, 2016, he intended to assist another to commit acts of terrorism.
The charge details revealed that Maxwell had compiled a comprehensive library of information, including details on constructing explosive devices and tactics used by terrorists, as well as maps, plans and a list of potential targets for a terrorist attack.
He had also obtained chemicals and other components used in the manufacture of explosive devices, as well as an image of an adapted PSNI pass card and items of PSNI uniform.
Maxwell also admitted to having in his possession a quantity of cannabis with intent to supply it to another on August 24, 2016, and having in his possession bank cards and associated CVC numbers for use in fraud between November 1, 2015 and August 24, 2016.
Commander Dean Haydon of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "I would like to acknowledge the excellent joint working between PSNI and the UK’s National Counter Terrorism network in bringing Maxwell to justice.
"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: "The arrest and charge of Ciarán Maxwell highlights the benefits of excellent collaborative working between the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Metropolitan Police and other national partner agencies.
"Working together, we have disrupted the activity of a dangerous individual and removed a very significant threat."
A date for sentencing will be set in due course.
Ciarán Maxwell charges in full
Charge 1
Between 1 January 2011 and 24 August 2016, with the intention of assisting another to commit acts of terrorism, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to this intention, namely:
- Research resulting in the creation of a library of documents providing information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism specifically information regarding the manufacture of explosive substances, the construction of explosive devices and tactics used by terrorist organisations.
- Purchasing or otherwise obtaining articles for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. Specifically chemicals and components to be use in the manufacture of explosive substances, the construction of explosive devices; an image of an adapted PSNI pass card; items of PSNI uniform.
- Manufacturing explosive substances.
- Constructing explosive devices.
- Creating and maintaining hides in England and Northern Ireland to store explosive substances, explosive devices, components for explosive devices, ammunition, weapons, tools and resources used during the construction of explosive devices and assorted other items linked to the preparation of an act of terrorism.
Contrary to section 5 Terrorism Act 2006
Charge 2:
On 24 August 2016 had in his possession a quantity of a controlled drug, namely cannabis, with intent to supply it to another.
Contrary to section 5(3) and (4) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Charge 3:
Between 1 November 2015 and 24 August 2016 had in his possession articles, namely images of bank cards and associated CVC numbers, for use in connection with fraud.
Contrary to section 6 Fraud Act 2006
