A 44-year-old man has appeared in court charged with an arson attack on a 5G mast in west Belfast.
A PSNI detective told Belfast Magistrates' Court that a series of attacks on masts by a network of conspiracy theorists during the past two years had caused damage estimated at £4m.
Darren Clarke, of no fixed abode, was today charged with arson with intent to destroy a 5G mast belonging to the O2 network at the weekend.
Fire crews were called to extinguish a blaze at the telecommunications structure on the Whiterock Road late on Sunday night.
The court was told that police officers spotted a man nearby a short time later wearing dark clothing, a head torch and carrying a backpack. He rode off at speed on a bicycle, but was chased into Milltown Cemetery on the Falls Road.
Clarke was arrested inside the graveyard while smelling strongly of either fuel or nail polish.
An investigating detective said the incident has been linked to a wider series of 18 arson attacks on 5G masts across west Belfast since 2023, causing damage "anticipated to be in the region of £4m".
The officer said footage discovered on phones seized from Mr Clarke pointed to suspected involvement in other incidents in the area.
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Similar methods were used in each incident, with service hatches prized open and some type of fuel pushed inside to set them on fire.
"These attacks are not the work of a single individual, but have been carried out by a number of individuals as part of a network or possibly united by sharing conspiracy-driven beliefs online via social media chatrooms," the detective added.
Alongside the financial impact, the police said the attacks have had a significant social and economic impact in the west Belfast area.
Local communities were said to be experiencing difficulties in accessing healthcare services, while businesses and others who work from home are all struggling to operate as normal.
Concerns were also expressed about a potential risk to life if emergency services cannot be contacted due to poor phone signals.
"The scale and frequency of the attacks make this a matter of significant public interest and community safety," the detective added.
An application for bail for refused and Clarke was remanded in custody to appear in court again on 7 October.
