A 30-year-old man arrested in relation to the Northern Bank robbery last December has appeared in court in Belfast.
Peter Kelly, a computer technician from Drumboniff Road in Newry, faced two charges of collecting and making, and possessing documents or records containing information likely to be of use to terrorists between January 2000 and last week.
A PSNI Detective Inspector told the court that when formally charged yesterday evening, Mr Kelly had replied that he refuted and absolutely denied what he called 'these hysterical and paranoid charges'.
Mr Kelly further stated 'All I have ever done is the job I was paid to do by British Telecom. I would not be charged with these charges if I was a unionist'.
The Inspector said computer equipment seized at Mr Kelly's place of work allegedly contained a list of 36,000 civil servants, including their names, payroll references and National Insurance numbers.
The court heard the document also included similar details for 3,300 civil servants who worked for the PSNI and 70 prison staff.
He said Mr Kelly's employers had indicated he was not authorised to hold such sensitive information.
Asked by a prosecution lawyer about the possible sinister use of such information, the Inspector replied 'these individuals would be very vulnerable'.
The detective said he believed he could connect Mr Kelly to the charges but a defence solicitor submitted that the Inspector was not able to connect Mr Kelly with the charges.
The magistrate remanded Mr Kelly in custody to appear again via video link on 16 November.
