Man charged with having information useful to terrorists

Prosecution evidence continued at a non-jury court in Craigavon yesterday in the case in which a 35-year-old man has pleaded …

Prosecution evidence continued at a non-jury court in Craigavon yesterday in the case in which a 35-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to 14 terrorist-related charges.

He is Mr John Charles Tumelty, Strathearn Court, Holywood, and the first two charges allege he belonged to the IRA on certain dates in 1995 and 1996.

Charges 3 to 5 allege that Mr Tumelty conspired to collect, or possessed, information about persons which was likely to be useful to terrorists.

Charges 6 and 7 allege that he collected details about the layout, security arrangements and movements in and out of Palace Barracks, Holywood, during dates in 1995 and 1996.

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Two further charges allege that he collected details about accused persons on trial at Crumlin Road Courthouse, Belfast, and details of lawyers appearing for the prosecution at Crumlin Road Courthouse. A 10th charge alleges that Mr Tumelty collected details of houses in Holywood which were fitted with security equipment.

The 11th charge alleges that he collected information relating to constables attending a course at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown, and the 12th alleges that he collected information about constables in Holywood. The final two charges allege possession of details relating to two named constables.

Evidence was given at yesterday's hearing about Mr Tumelty being arrested and that he made no reply after caution. There was also evidence of a police search of a house and details of items taken to Castlereagh RUC Station. The court was told by Mrs Patricia O'Lone, of the University of Ulster, that she identified a number of documents which she said contained handwriting of Mr Tumelty, who had enrolled as a full-time student there.

The hearing was adjourned until Monday.