The Associated Press
Brian Murphy
A suspected Irish Republican Army terrorist bragged "his people" had connections to a 1984 plot to kill British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, according to documents released Tuesday.
The statement was attributed to Kevin McKinley, 33, one of four suspected IRA members arrested after they allegedly bought an anti-aircraft Stinger missile and other weapons from federal undercover agents last week.
The men told undercover agents they planned to use the missile against British troops in Northern Ireland.
On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Ann Vitunac postponed a bail hearing for the four men until Friday. Defense attorneys and prosecutors asked for more time to prepare their case.
The four men, who waved and smiled at a small group of friends in court, said nothing as they were led away by U.S. marshals. They have been held without bond since their arrest.
According to an affidavit by federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent Stephen Barborini and U.S. Customs agent Mark Oden, McKinley said the Stinger was to be used by the Provisional wing of the IRA against British military helicopters in Northern Ireland.
McKinley also told agents "his people" were responsible for the Oct. 12, 1984, bombing of a hotel in Brighton, England, according to the affidavit. The IRA claimed responsibility for the bombing, which killed five people, including two senior Conservative Party figures. Mrs. Thatcher escaped unharmed.
Five IRA members were jailed for life for the bombing and other bomb plots. During several meetings between Nov. 20 and Jan. 12, the suspects also said they were seeking rifles, explosives, and grenade launchers to pierce newly developed British armor.
The magistrate also scheduled a hearing for Jan. 26 for their arraignment if the four men are indicted by a grand jury.
"All have a viable defense and it will be pursued to the highest degree," said attorney Roger Colton, who at the hearing represented defendants Kevin McKinley, 33, Seamus Moley, 30, and Joseph McColgan, 39, all Irish citizens.
Colton would not give details of a possible defense but noted that entrapment is "a possible avenue."
Co-defendant Sean McCann, 34, a Canadian, was represented by attorney Michael Salnick, although the final counsel for all four men has not been set.
The affidavit said Moley and McCann crossed into the United States on Dec. 14 from Canada at Alexandria Bay, N.Y. It is not certain how long McKinley and McColgan were in the country.
Undercover agents posing as arms dealers arrested the men Friday after Moley handed over $47,500 for a hand-held Stinger missile and McKinley was taken to a West Palm Beach warehouse to inspect the weapon.
The weapon was on loan from the Marines and was not equipped with a warhead. The Stinger, about 5 feet long and 35 pounds, is used to launch a single surface-to-air missile.
All are charged with violations of the Arms Export Control Act and Neutrality Law and other weapons violations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Patras said each could receive a maximum 30-year prison term and a $1.25 million fine if convicted.
The IRA, a mainly Roman Catholic guerrilla group outlawed in Britain and Ireland, is fighting to end British rule over Northern Ireland and unite it with the Irish Republic.
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