Larne bomb maker jailed for 18 years on terrorism charges

By Q Radio news

A terrorist from Northern Ireland who infiltrated the British military has been jailed for 18 years for supplying bombs to dissident Irish republicans.

Former Royal Marine Ciaran Maxwell stashed anti-personnel mines, mortars, ammunition and 14 pipe bombs - four of which were later used - in 43 purpose-built hides at eight locations in Northern Ireland and England.

Bomb-making materials were found in barrels and buckets buried in the ground as well as an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card, a PSNI uniform and a police stab-proof vest.

A barrel containing weapons recovered from a 'terrorist hide' in woodland at Capanagh Forest near Larne in Northern Ireland. 

The 31-year-old, who is originally from Larne in Co Antrim and was with 40 Commando based at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton, Somerset, at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts between January 2011 and August last year, possessing images of bank cards for fraud and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Commander Dean Hayden from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command believes he acted alone.

Cmdr Haydon describes the investigation into Ciaran Maxewell, a former marine who stockpiled & manufactured weapons to be used by terrorists pic.twitter.com/T8SP1xipsi

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 31, 2017

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Gillian Kearney said Maxwell used his military know-how to accumulate and construct his devices, and described the infiltration of the military by a republican terrorist as "very unusual" and "certainly the first case of its kind in recent years".

Sentencing, Mr Justice Sweeney said: "I'm sure that you were and will remain motivated by dissident republican sympathies and a hostility to the UK."

Timeline of events

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin, Head of the PSNI’s Crime Operations Department, said: “Ciaran Maxwell is an extremely dangerous individual who was capable of gathering a large amount of munitions over multiple sites in Northern Ireland and England. 
 

“The hides uncovered at Larne and surrounding areas collectively, amount to one of the most significant seizures of munitions in recent years in Northern Ireland, not to mention the further items recovered in hides in Great Britain.
 

“It is obvious that these materials and munitions were sourced, gathered and constructed over significant periods of time which demonstrates Ciaran Maxwell’s determination and committed planning. These items are designed to cause damage, serious injury and to kill. 
 

“Ciaran largely worked independently but we know he had a link to a violent Dissident Republican grouping. It is abundantly clear from the sheer volume of weapons and component parts found that he knew they would be used and would cause serious harm.
 

“As a result of these finds and the arrest and sentencing of Ciaran Maxwell, there is no doubt in my mind that Northern Ireland and England are safer places to live. It is worth emphasising that a number of these lethal devices were in a state ready to be deployed.
 

“I would very much like to thank the members of the public who first alerted police to the hides in both Carnfunnock and Capanagh. Without them acting on their suspicions Maxwell may not have been caught. This case clearly demonstrates the vital role communities have in support of their Police Service.

“I would also like to thank my policing colleagues in Great Britain. Through effective partnership working at a national level and the expeditious Justice process in England, a terrorist has been convicted and faces a lengthy time in prison less than 12 months after his arrest.
 

“Working together, we have disrupted the activity of a dangerous individual and removed a very significant threat."
 

“While the threat level in Northern Ireland from Dissident Republican violence remains severe, meaning an attack is highly likely; there is limited community support and traction for terrorists. The vast majority of people want to move on from the past, enjoy living without fear and embrace the vibrant place Northern Ireland has become.”

The vigilance of members of the public has been vital to this case.

On Saturday 5th March 2016 police received a report from a man walking in Carnfunnock Forest Park of plastic barrels buried in the ground near the car park in the popular recreation spot. When recovered the barrels were found to contain Improvised Explosive Devices, component parts to make these devices along with tools and electrical equipment. There were also various chemicals which, when mixed, could have been used to form homemade explosives.

On Saturday 14th May 2016 a second hide of barrels buried in the ground was discovered at Capanagh Forest, on the Starbog Road, Larne. These also contained a large quantity of explosives, IEDs, component parts and military equipment. Again this was reported to police by vigilant members of the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Gillian Kearney, the PSNI’s Senior Investigating Officer in this case, explained: “These two hides amount to one of the most significant seizures of munitions in recent years in Northern Ireland, both in terms of size and capability. 
 

“We were able to identify Ciaran Maxwell through DNA examination of items found and then discovered that he was a serving Royal Marine living in Exeter. At this stage an investigation began with the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, known as SO15, which was supported by colleagues in South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit, as well as Avon and Somerset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police. 
 

“Following his arrest in August 2016, additional searches took place in both Northern Ireland and Devon which uncovered further significant hides. On Sunday 28th August 2016 a large scale multi-agency search operation involving PSNI and the Military with specialist advisors commenced in Larne. This included a former quarry on the Old Glenarm Road, a former Convent, Town Park, Carnfunnock and Inver River areas resulting in finds of components parts, a weapon, chemicals, Military and PSNI uniforms.
 

“This was a complex case, which spanned numerous sites in various locations in Northern Ireland and England involving officers from four police services. The swift and successful prosecution of Maxwell demonstrates the impact of Police Services working closely together to disrupt terrorism.
 

“It is most important to acknowledge that all of this was only possible after members of the public came forward to the police with information alerting us to the presence of barrels at both Carnfunnock and Capanagh. Ciaran Maxwell had developed a sophisticated operation to facilitate stockpiling weapons, explosives, munitions and chemicals and I want to thank these people for coming forward with this information; there is no doubt in my mind that their actions have saved lives.
 

“These items could have been used to cause serious harm to people living in our communities and make no mistake – Ciaran Maxwell had no regard for anyone as can be seen by the fact he used these very popular public areas.
 

“Police will continue to work tirelessly to keep people safe from this threat and we continue to ask the community to be vigilant and to provide police with any information they have.