Real IRA member appears in court

A convicted member of the Real IRA has appeared in court after Lithuanian authorities sought his arrest on charges of terrorism and trafficking weapons.

The High Court was told that Liam Campbell of Upper Faughart, Dundalk was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.

The warrant was received from the Lithuanian authorities on 14 January and lists charges including the terrorism, the illicit trafficking of weapons, munitions and explosives, preparations to smuggle firearms, ammunition and explosives and explosive substances.

Det Sgt Martin O Neill told the court he arrested Liam Campbell at the Ramparts in Dundalk and Mr Campbell made no reply when he questioned him about his name, address and date of birth.

Sgt O'Neill said after arrest and caution he detailed the charges to Mr Campbell who said: 'write down, I am not guilty of that'.

Gardaí applied to have Mr Campbell remanded in custody due to the seriousness of the charges and said they wished to consult with the Lithuanian authorities on their attitude to bail and in relation to the charges.

Solcitor for Mr Campbell James McGuill said his client would be keen to establish the nature of the garda objection to bail and asked that gardaí make their enquiries with the Lithuanian authorities before tomorrow when a bail application may be made.

He was remanded in custody until tomorrow afternoon.

Liam Campbell has been convicted of membership of the Real IRA and is one of a number of people being sued by relatives of victims of the Omagh bombing.