Royal Marine from Larne back in court today on terror charges

A serving Royal marine from Larne accused of terrorism, fraud and drug offences is due to appear in court again today (September 19).
Ciaran Maxwell who was arrested last week in EnglandCiaran Maxwell who was arrested last week in England
Ciaran Maxwell who was arrested last week in England

Ciaran Maxwell, 30, is charged with “creating and maintaining hides” in England and Northern Ireland to store explosives.

It is alleged that between January 1 2011 and August 24 2016, Mr Maxwell manufactured explosive substances and constructed explosive devices.

He is accused of carrying out research resulting in the creation of a library of documents likely to be useful to someone 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”.

Mr Maxwell is also charged with getting an image of an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card and items of PSNI uniform.

The Metropolitan Police said he is charged with “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”.

A separate charge says that on August 24 2016 Mr Maxwell had a quantity of cannabis in his possession with intent to supply.

He has also been charged with fraud and is accused of having images of bank cards and associated CVC numbers for use in connection with fraud between November 1 2015 and August 24 2016.

At a court appearance earlier this month, Mr Maxwell pleaded not guilty to bank card fraud and intent to supply cannabis.

Mr 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.

On September 6, the PSNI issued a statement revealing that they had uncovered a “significant amount of terrorist material including explosive devices, component parts for explosives, chemicals for use in bomb making, ammunition and a firearm” at searches in 12 separate locations across the Larne area.

The searches were part of a joint, ongoing, police operation between PSNI and the Metropolitan Police Service in London.