Weapons haul found in Belfast is linked by police to far-right terrorism

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Wednesday that an arsenal of explosives found in Belfast is believed to be linked to far-right terrorism. Searches in the Shankill Road area on 30 and 31 October uncovered 17 improvised explosive devices and other material. The find comes amid growing alarm over race hate incidents and attacks on immigrants in Northern Ireland.

The find and the charges

Alongside the devices, officers found two detonators and five stun guns. Police said the investigation is linked to extreme rightwing terrorism and gave no further details. The Belfast Telegraph reported that it was the largest haul of weaponry linked to the far right ever seized in Northern Ireland.

One man was arrested. Wesley Thomas Fletcher, 35, of Leopold Street, appeared at Belfast magistrates court on Monday. He faces two charges of possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances and one charge of possession of a prohibited weapon, a Taser. Asked whether he understood the charges, he replied "Yes". No bail application was made and he was remanded in custody. His next hearing is scheduled for 30 November.

Background

Loyalist bonfires have used effigies of mosques and migrants, and self-styled vigilante patrols have stopped and interrogated dark-skinned men. Individuals linked to paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force are believed to be involved in many incidents. Riots over three consecutive summers are said to have forged connections between loyalists and far-right agitators in Britain.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UK's head of nations and regions, called the discovery shocking but not unsurprising. He pointed to a warning from the security service MI5 last month that rightwing extremists are tipping into terrorist intent, including planning attacks on migrants and Muslims.