Agent: No bonus was ever paid

21 May 2010
Mirror
Paul Higgins

An undercover agent giving evidence against alleged dissident republicans yesterday denied getting paid bonuses. He was giving evidence at the Belfast Crown Court of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a arms smuggling plot. The agent, known only as Amir, claimed he was paid between £200 and £300 for every day he worked.

Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court, 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, Co Armagh and Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory, 41, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

The prosecution claim between August 2004 and June 2006, Kearns, acted as a go-between, McCaugherty handled the money and negotiated the deals, and Gregory handled a restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.

Article Ends

(Blogger Comment: The restaurant referred to above was located in Alvor, Portugal. SEE: REAL IRA IN PORTUGAL)

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informers, MI5, Michael Dermot, Michael Gregory, Northern Ireland, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent 'doesn't know' why bosses said account full of spin

21 May 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

An MI5 agent at the centre of a Real IRA arms smuggling trial says he has no idea why his bosses raised concerns that his evidence was full of "spin" and was "inaccurate".

The agent, codenamed 'Amir', was giving evidence at the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with an alleged Real IRA plot to smuggle guns and explosives from mainland Europe to Northern Ireland in 2005/2006.

Paul McCaugherty (43) of Beech Court in Lurgan is charged with conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives, using almost EUR46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of the RIRA and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Desmond Kearns (44) of Tannaghmore Green, Lurgan is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Declan Gregory (41) of Concession Road, Crossmaglen is accused of making the deeds of a Portugese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

The trial had previously heard that Amir had met Mr Kearns and his wife Alison during trips to Belgium in 2005 to buy cheap cigarettes. The prosecution alleges that Mrs Kearns asked if Amir could supply weapons which could be smuggled to Northern Ireland.

Mr McCaugherty is later alleged to have travelled to mainland Europe with Mr Kearns to meet another arms dealer, who was in fact another MI5 agent. However, giving evidence from behind curtains yesterday, Amir denied ever having written a witness statement in which it was alleged that Mrs Kearns asked if he could supply weapons. Questioned about contradictions in the statement, he replied: "You'll have to ask the author. It's unfair to ask me."

However, under questioning from Orlando Pownall QC, Amir admitted that he had only agreed to give evidence at the trial after his former MI5 bosses threatened to arrest him and expose his identity.

The court was told that while Amir had secretly recorded three hours of conversations during a meeting with the Kearnses in July 2005, the crucial part in which Mrs Kearns allegedly asked if he could supply weapons had failed to record. While he insisted that Mrs Kearns had asked about guns, he conceded that key parts of the statement written in his name were "inaccurate". "She didn't keep asking me questions about weapons but she did ask," he said.

He admitted that at a later MI5 debriefing one of his handlers accused him of deliberately having turned off the tape recorder. Asked who had been responsible for writing his statement, Amir replied: "Surely you must know who the author is? It's not me."

An MI5 memo was read to the court in which Amir's handlers raised concerns that what he was telling them was "inaccurate" and that "self interest" was a "strong factor".

"We also need to think WHY (Amir's) account ... is inaccurate," it stated.

"There's lots of spin, selective memory, revisionism, reinterpretation and potentially miscomprehension. What's underlying this?"

Confirming that he had had "heated exchanges" and a "big fall-out" with his handlers after he refused to introduce a second MI5 agent posing as an arms dealer, he said: "They were certainly not happy with me and I wasn't happy with them."

He said he was no longer "on great terms" with MI5 and had not worked for it since 2006.

The trial continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informers, MI5, Michael Dermot, Northern Ireland, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Bonus pay allegations are untrue, MI5 agent tells court

21 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph
Paul Higgins

An undercover Secret Service agent giving evidence against three alleged dissident republicans has denied being paid bonuses. Under cross-examination at Belfast Crown Court, the agent known as ‘Amir' claimed he was paid between £200 and £300 for every day he worked on an operation. He told Orlando Pownall QC that if there was a bonus scheme “they must have forgotten to tell me about it”.

The three accused, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43), Desmond Paul Kearns (44), and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory, deny a total of eight charges.

The prosecution claim that during a two-year operation conducted by Security Services between August 2004 and June 2006, Kearns, going by the name of John acted as a go-between, McCaugherty, calling himself Tim, handled money and negotiated deals, and Gregory handled a Portuguese restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.

Yesterday Amir, giving evidence from behind screens, said the main aim was to befriend John and sell him cigarettes in order to gather intelligence. He told Mr Pownall, who is acting for Kearns, that he never envisaged having to give evidence in a court of law and had only agreed “under threat of arrest and the threat that my anonymity would be lifted”.

The trial continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Informers, MI5, Michael Dermot, Northern Ireland, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent claims he was forced into court

12 May 2010
The Irish News

An MI5 agent has given evidence in a Belfast court for the first time in more than 20 years. But the Security Services undercover operative giving evidence against three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called dissident IRA international arms smuggling plot, says he is being forced to give evidence.

The agent, known only as Amir, claimed police told him he "had been f**ked over" by his "MI5" bosses and that he would have to sign his witness statement and give evidence at the men's Belfast Crown Court trial.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

The court also heard that Amir's solicitors even tried to sue his security masters for £450,000 over the case and at one stage asked for £30,000 plus £2,500 a month.

Amir also agreed that he had hoped to get "an honour" for his work for the Security Services, but claimed it was not necessarily for this case.

Under cross-examination by Orlando Pownell QC, defending for Kearns, Amir claimed detectives told him either he sign his statement and have the protection of MI5, or he was on his own.

Amir told the the court "that wasn't a very pleasant choice" and that he was not happy about coming to Belfast to give evidence, indeed he was "extremely angry" about it.

At one stage Amir described the Security Services as "a law onto themselves", doing what they wanted and that "half the time" he did not even know what they were doing or if they were bugging him or not.

Amir told Mr Pownell that when initially approached by the PSNI he "never believed" he would have to give evidence in court.

He further agreed that during the whole of the undercover operation between August 2004 and June 2006, that whenever asked if he would be prepared to give evidence, his answer was always the same: "No".

"The message was loud and clear ... I'm not giving evidence," the lawyer said.

"Yes that's correct," the agent said.

He claimed that when he made a statement to PSNI detectives he was told it was because the prosecution "barrister wanted to study my impact in the case", and that if his role "had to be disclosed no arrests would be made and the operation concluded in a different manner".

He said that when he talked to detectives "there were papers, papers I had no idea" what they were, but they did help to provide some dates of when certain meetings had taken place.

However, again Amir agreed that when he eventually signed his statement he told detectives "this was under sufferance" as he was "really left with no choice".

But he denied that he had tried to hold his former security bosses "to ransom" by demands made by his "solicitor or those acting on your behalf". Amir also claimed that he was not aware of any actual figures involved.

He said any legal proceedings had been taken "out of principle" and rejected the suggestion it was a case of "cough up or no evidence will be given".

Amir maintained that the only reason he was in court was because he was "threatened ... with summons here and with arrest to get me here".

At hearing.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent: I am being forced to give evidence

12 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

The Security Services’ undercover operative giving evidence against three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called dissident IRA international arms smuggling plot has claimed he is being forced to give evidence. The operative, known only as Amir, claimed police told him he “had been f****d over” by his “MI5” bosses and that he would have to sign his witness statement and give evidence at the men's Belfast Crown Court trial.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot Gregory, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

The court also heard that Amir's solicitors even tried to sue his security masters for £450,000 over the case and at one stage asked for £30,000 plus £2,500 a month. Amir also agreed that he had hoped to get “an honour” for his work for the Security Services, but claimed it was not necessarily for this case.

Under cross-examination by defence QC Orlando Pownell for Kearns, Amir claimed detectives told him that either he signed his statement and have the protection of MI5, or he was on his own. Amir told the court “that wasn't a very pleasant choice” and that he wasn't happy about coming to Belfast to give evidence, indeed he was “extremely angry” about it.

At one stage Amir described the Security Services as “a law onto themselves”, doing what they wanted and that “half the time” he didn't even know what they were doing or if they were bugging him or not.

Amir told Mr Pownell that when initially approached by the PSNI he “never believed” he would have to give evidence in court. He further agreed that during the whole of the undercover operation between August 2004 and June 2006, whenever he was asked if he would be prepared to give evidence, his answer was always the same: “No”.

“The message was loud and clear... I'm not giving evidence,” said the lawyer. “Yes that's correct,” replied the agent.

He claimed that when he made a statement to PSNI detectives he was told it was because the prosecution barrister “wanted to study my impact in the case”, and that if his role “had to be disclosed no arrests would be made and the operation concluded in a different manner”. He said that when he talked to detectives “there were papers, papers, I had no idea” what they were, but they did help to provide some dates of when certain meetings had taken place.

However, again Amir agreed that when he eventually signed his statement he told detectives “this was under sufferance” as he was “really left with no choice”. But he denied that he'd tried to hold his former security bosses “to ransom” by demands made by his “solicitor or those acting on your behalf”.

Amir also claimed that he wasn't aware of any actual figures involved. He said any legal proceedings had been taken “out of principle” and rejected the suggestion it was a case of “cough up or no evidence will be given”. Amir maintained that the only reason he was in court was because he was “threatened... with summons here and with arrest to get me here”.

At hearing.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness had wanted a medal from the queen

12 May 2010
The Irish News

The Irish News revealed last October that M15 agent 'Amir' wanted £650,000 and a medal from the queen to give evidence in a Real IRA arms trail.

In a letter to MI5, revealed by The Irish News at the time, Amir's solicitor wrote: "I would invite you to agree to pay to my client the sum of £450,000 within 28 days in full and final settlement of his current claims. "Please also confirm that you will agree to a life contingency payment of £200,000." In later correspondence, Amir also demanded a £30,000 'retainer'.

Amir further claimed that MI5 had promised him a honour from the Queen, only to have it withdrawn after refusing to give evidence.

In an internal MI5 memo, his handlers wrote: "Amir raised the fact that he had been told by the (redacted) that an honour was long overdue and that he had 'definitely been put down for one and it had gone through various people and it is on the desk of somebody'."

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Kearns 'frustrated' at slow pace of deal

11 May 2010
Mirror
Court hears undercover agent's secret recordings

A court heard recordings of secretly taped meetings between an undercover agent and men accused of involvement in a dissident republican arms smuggling plot yesterday. A witness, known only as Amir, was again hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except for trial judge Mr Justice Hart and prosecution and defence lawyers.

In the dock Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court, 44-year-old Desmond Paul Kearns from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, Co Armagh, and Dermot Declan Gregory, 41, aka Michael Dermot Gregory from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, deny a total of eight charges.

The prosecution claim during a security services operation between August 2004 and June 2006, Kearns, going by the name of "John" acted as a go-between, McCaugherty, calling himself "Tim", handled the money and negotiated the deals, and that Gregory handled a restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.

Yesterday more secretly-taped meetings between Amir and John, said to be Kearns, were played to the court after the operative outlined what he personally remembered of them. In one meeting in Amsterdam in September 2005, Amir claimed he again met John in a cafe and that initially he was alone when he met him.

Unlike other meetings he said, John was also alone, explaining that his wife Alison, whom he had met before, but never again, was feeling unwell. Amir claimed that John "was a bit upset about the IRA decommissioning" and told him that people and groups were becoming disillusioned by it all.

Talking about an earlier meeting where he offered to set up a meeting between "his friends" and "John's friends", Amir asked if "John's friend" was still interested in such a meeting. Amir said he got the impression John felt he was "doing a lot more then he expected to be doing".

He added that he told John that his friend "Ali", who was to be the weapons' specialist, had returned to Amsterdam with him and was willing to meet up, however before then, he introduced Ali's driver, a man called "Denis" to him. Amir said that Denis later drove him and John to John's hotel to drop off a consignment of cigarettes. John, he said, later agreed to meeting Ali, and they drove to a bar not far from the 'steak-house'. He said that he and John chatted for a while before Denis returned with Ali and that John and he then spoke privately together. Amir claimed that after the meeting John told him "he was very happy" the way things had gone, and that when he returned home he would "talk to his friends".

Two months later in November 2005, the pair, Amir and John, met again, this time in O'Reilly's Bar in Brussels. John, he said, appeared "frustrated" and complained that while people said they were interested, "things weren't going fast enough", and that people weren't really trying.

He also complained he was told to "ask more questions", although he did mention something "about prices, that they were happy about the prices". Amir claimed he also remembered John, "getting out his cigarette lighter and shaking it", saying that they need "these and dets, detonators".

The trial continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Undercover operative 'forced' to give evidence

11 May 2010 
UTV News

The Security Services undercover operative giving evidence against three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called dissident IRA international arms smuggling plot, has claimed he is being forced to give evidence. The operative, known only as Amir, claimed police told him that he would have to sign his witness statement and give evidence at the men's Belfast Crown Court trial.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory (aka Michael Dermot Gregory) from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

The court also heard that Amir's solicitors even tried to sue his security masters for £450K over the case and at one stage asked for £30K plus £2,500 a month. Amir also agreed that he had hoped to get "an honour" for his work for the Security Services, but claimed it was not necessarily for this case.

Under cross-examination by defence QC Orlando Pownell for Kearns, Amir claimed detectives told him either he signed his statement and have the protection of MI5, or he was on his own. Amir told the court "that wasn't a very pleasant choice" and that he wasn't happy about coming to Belfast to give evidence, indeed he was "extremely angry" about it.

At one stage Amir described the Security Services as "a law onto themselves", doing what they wanted and that "half the time" he didn't even know what they were doing or if they were bugging him or not. Amir told Mr Pownell that when initially approached by the PSNI he "never believed" he would have to give evidence in court. He further agreed that during the whole of the undercover operation between August 2004 and June 2006, that whenever asked if he would be prepared to give evidence, his answer was always the same: "No".

He claimed that when he made a statement to PSNI detectives he was told it was because the prosecution "barrister wanted to study my impact in the case", and that if his role "had to be disclosed no arrests would be made and the operation concluded in a different manner".

But he denied that he'd tried to hold his former security bosses "to ransom" by demands made by his "solicitor or those acting on your behalf". Amir also claimed that he wasn't aware of any actual figures involved. He said any legal proceedings had been taken "out of principle" and rejected the suggestion it was a case of "cough up or no evidence will be given".

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness says accused's friends 'interested' in a weapons deal

11 May 2010
The Irish News

For a second day running a security services undercover operative has been giving evidence in the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was again hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, save for Mr Justice Hart and the various prosecution and defence lawyers.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of eight charges.

The prosecution said that during a two-year security services operation between August 2004 and June 2006, Kearns, going by the name of 'John' acted as a go-between, McCaugherty, calling himself 'Tim', handled the money and negotiated the deals and that Gregory handled a Portuguese restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.

Yesterday, more secretly taped meetings between Amir and 'John', said to be Kearns, were played to the court after the operative outlined what he personally remembered of them.

In one meeting in Amsterdam in September 2005, Amir claimed he again met 'John' in a cafe-restaurant they called a steak-house and that initially he was alone when they met.

He said that unlike other meetings, John was also alone, explaining that his wife Alison, whom Amir had met before, but never again, was feeling unwell.

Amir said that John "was a bit upset about the IRA decommissioning", and told him that people and groups were becoming disillusioned by it all.

Talking about an earlier meeting where he offered to set up a meeting between "his friends" and "John's friends", Amir asked if John's friend was still interested in such a meeting.

John allegedly replied "that his friend was interested", but complained that "not enough was being done about it".

Amir said he got the impression John felt he was "doing a lot more then he expected to be doing".

He added that he told John that his friend 'Ali', who was to be the weapons specialist, had returned to Amsterdam with him and was willing to meet up. However before then, he introduced Ali's driver, a man called "Denis" to him.

Amir said that Denis later drove him and John to John's hotel to drop off a consignment of cigarettes. John, he said, later agreed to meet Ali, and they drove to a bar not far from the 'steak-house'.

He said that he and John chatted for a while before Denis returned with Ali and that John and he then spoke privately together.

Amir claimed that after the meeting John told him "he was very happy" the way things had gone and that when he returned home he would "talk to his friends".

Two months later in November 2005, the pair, Amir and John, met again, this time in O'Reilly's Bar in Brussels.

Amir said that he questioned John about his meeting with Ali, as he wanted to "gauge some sort of reaction", but that the response he got was very similar to the reaction he always got.

John, he said, appeared "frustrated" and complained that while people said they were interested, "things weren't going fast enough", and that people weren't really trying.

He also complained he was told to "ask more questions", although he did mention something "about prices, that they were happy about the prices".

Amir claimed he also remembered John, "getting out his cigarette lighter and shaking it", saying that they need "these and dets, detonators".

The case continues.

Plot suspect on separate charges

One of the defendants in the international arms smuggling trial before Belfast Crown Court also appeared before Newry Magistrates Court yesterday on separate charges related to suspected dissident republican activity.

Dermot Declan Gregory (41) of Concession Road, Crossmaglen, was charged with providing money and property to the value of at least EUR20,000, (£17,000) knowing or suspecting that they may be used for the purposes of terrorism.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on dates between January 1 2006 and May 7 2010. Gregory is further charged with having ammunition in suspicious circumstances last Friday.

An application for bail was refused.

Gregory was remanded in custody to appear again on June 2.

Gregory and two others deny a total of eight charges before Belfast Crown Court in connection with an international arms smuggling plot.

Gregory is accused of making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

The trial has already met with controversy after lawyers for his co-defendants demanded clarification over allegations that Gregory was an MI5 agent and that they had been entrapped by security services.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 trial man on further charges

10 May 2010
BBC News

One of three men on trial as a result of an MI5 operation against an alleged Real IRA gun smuggling plot has been remanded in custody on further charges. Dermot Declan Gregory, 42, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen is accused of providing money or property for the purposes of terrorism.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1 January, 2006 and 7 May, 2007. He is also charged with having ammunition on May 7, 2010. Gregory and two others are on trial at Belfast Crown Court following a two-year undercover operation by the security services.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, MI5, Michael Dermot, Portugal, Real IRA

Dissident arms trial continues

10 May 2010
UTV News

The trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with a so-called international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans has again heard evidence from a security services undercover operative. Known only as Amir, the witness was hidden from public view in Belfast Crown Crown - seen only by trial judge Mr Justice Hart, prosecution and defence lawyers.

Between them the trio - Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court; Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan; and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot Gregory from Concession Road in Crossmaglen - deny a total of eight charges.

The prosecution claim that during a two year security services operation between August 2004 and June 2006, Kearns - going by the name of 'John' - acted as a go-between; McCaugherty, calling himself 'Tim', handled the money and negotiated the deals; and that Gregory handled a Portuguese restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.

On Monday, more secretly taped meetings between Amir and 'John' - said to be Kearns - were played to the court after the operative outlined what he personally remembered of them.

In one meeting in Amsterdam in September 2005, Amir claimed he again met 'John' in a steak-house and that he "was a bit upset about the IRA decommissioning", and told him that people and groups were becoming disillusioned by it all.

Meeting

Talking about an earlier meeting where he offered to set up a meeting between "his friends and John's friends", John allegedly said "that his friend was interested", but complained that "not enough was being done about it". Amir said he got the impression John felt he was "doing a lot more than he expected to be doing". He added that he told John that his friend 'Ali', who was to be the weapons' specialist, had returned to Amsterdam with him and was willing to meet up. Amir claimed that after the meeting John told him "he was very happy" with the way things had gone, and that when he returned home he would "talk to his friends".

Two months later, in November 2005, the pair - Amir and John - met again, this time in O'Reilly's Bar in Brussels. Amir claimed that he questioned John about his meeting with Ali, as he wanted to "gauge some sort of reaction", but that the response he got was very similar to the reaction he always got. John, he said, appeared "frustrated" and complained that while people said they were interested, "things weren't going fast enough", and that people weren't really trying. He also complained he was told to "ask more questions", although he did mention something "about prices, that they were happy about the prices".

Amir claimed he also remembered John, "getting out his cigarette lighter and shaking it", saying that they need "these and dets, detonators".

The trial, which is at hearing, continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 'sting' meetings revealed

10 May 2010
BBC News

A court has heard further recordings of conversations between an MI5 operative and a man, alleged to be one of the defendants in an arms smuggling case. The operative, known only as "Amir", was hidden in Belfast Crown Court as he gave more evidence of his role.

On trial are Paul McCaughtery, 43, of Beech Court, and Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, Tannaghmore Green, both in Lurgan. Along with Dermot Declan Gregory, 41, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, they deny eight charges between them.

Real IRA

"Amir" was hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except for the judge and the various prosecution and defence lawyers.

The prosecution claims that during a two-year security services operation between August 2004 and June 2006, Mr Kearns, going by the name of "John" acted as a go-between and Mr McCaugherty, calling himself "Tim", handled the money and negotiated the deals.

It is also alleged that Mr Gregory handled a Portuguese restaurant being used to raise funds for a terrorist group.

A judge at an earlier hearing was told the sting involved an MI5 operation against the Real IRA.

On Monday, more secretly taped meetings between Amir and John, were played to the court after the operative outlined what he personally remembered of them.

In one meeting in Amsterdam in September 2005, Amir claimed he again met John in a cafe-restaurant and that initially he was alone when he met him.

He said that unlike other meetings, John was also alone, explaining that his wife Alison, whom he had met before, but was never to meet again, was feeling unwell.

Amir claimed that John "was a bit upset about the IRA decommissioning" and told him that people and groups were becoming disillusioned by it all.

Interested

Talking about an earlier meeting where he offered to set up a meeting between "his friends" and "John's friends", Amir asked if "John's friend" was still interested in such a meeting.

John allegedly replied "that his friend was interested" but complained that "not enough was being done about it".

Amir said he got the impression John felt he was "doing a lot more then he expected to be doing".

He added that he told John that his friend "Ali", who was to be the weapons' specialist, had returned to Amsterdam with him and was willing to meet up, however before then, he introduced Ali's driver, a man called "Denis" to him.

Amir said that Denis later drove him and John to John's hotel to drop off a consignment of cigarettes.

John, he said, later agreed to meeting Ali, and they drove to a bar not far from the cafe.

He said that he and John chatted for a while before Denis returned with Ali and that John and he then spoke privately together.

Amir claimed that after the meeting John told him "he was very happy" with the way things had gone, and that when he returned home he would "talk to his friends".

Detonators

Two months later in November 2005, the pair, Amir and John, met again, this time in a bar in Brussells.

Amir claimed that he questioned John about his meeting with Ali, as he wanted to "gauge some sort of reaction" , but that the response he got was very similar to the reaction he always got.

John, he said, appeared "frustrated" and complained that while people said they were interested, "things weren't going fast enough", and that people were not really trying.

He also complained he was told to "ask more questions", although he did mention "something about prices, that they were happy about the prices".

Amir claimed he also remembered John "getting out his cigarette lighter and shaking it", saying that they needed "these and detonators".

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent tells court of RIRA arms plot

7 May 2010
The Irish News

A security services undercover operative has started to give evidence from behind screens in the trial of three Co Armagh men charged in connection with what has been described as an international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans. The witness, known only as Amir, was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers.

The witness, who spoke with an English accent, did not reveal which branch of the security services he was working for but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 'sting' against the Real IRA.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

Mr McCaugherty faces all seven charges - conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost EUR46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of 'The Irish Republican Army', and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Mr Kearns is accused with him of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Mr Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the Alvor restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

Amir told the court that he started work in August 2004 in an operation against Irish targets and his role was to glean information from a man regarding his activities and associates in Northern Ireland. He was told the man travelled widely in Europe buying goods and he was asked to bump into him and befriend him.

The witness said he knew the man as John and was shown a photograph of him. The court heard yesterday that he was in reality the accused Mr Kearns. Amir said he first met Mr Kearns outside a store in Luxembourg where he was buying cut-price cigarettes and he told him he could supply them at even cheaper rates.

After a series of meetings in bars in Brussels and Amsterdam, the witness said he sold Mr Kearns and a woman he was told was his wife Alison, cigarettes, laptops, clothes and jewellery before mentioning that he could get guns from Pakistan. Amir said at one meeting, Alison told him "You should go over to Ireland and supply them with weapons" but she subsequently denied that she'd been serious. However, in July 2005 the security services told Amir that he should introduce a weapons expert called Ejaz to Mr Kearns.

The witness said that when the subject of guns was raised, Mr Kearns said he would go back to his associates and see what they thought but he insisted he did not want to get involved in any meetings himself.

A tape recording of one meeting in an Amsterdam bar has been played in court.

The case continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Agent gives evidence in arms plot trial

7 May 2010
The Guardian
Owen Bowcott

An intelligence agent began giving evidence yesterday against three Northern Irish men accused of involvement in a dissident republican arms-smuggling plot. The man, identified only as "Amir", appeared at Belfast crown court but was partially screened. The undercover operative did not identify his branch of the security services but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Between them the County Armagh men - Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, and Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, both from Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot, from Crossmaglen - deny a total of seven charges.

McCaugherty is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost euros 46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of "the Irish Republican army", and making the deeds of a restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism. Kearns is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, and Gregory of the restaurant charge.

Amir told the court that he started work in August 2004 in an operation against Irish targets. He said he first met Kearns outside a store in Luxembourg. After a series of meetings in bars in Brussels and Amsterdam, the witness said he sold Kearns and a woman he was told was his wife, Alison, cigarettes, laptops, clothes and jewellery before mentioning that he could get guns from Pakistan.

In July 2005, the security services told Amir that he should introduce a man to Kearns as a weapons expert called Ejaz. The witness said that when the subject of guns was raised, Kearns said he would go back to his associates but insisted he did not want to get involved in any meetings himself. The case continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent 'Met Real IRA suspect'

7 May 2010
Mirror
Jilly Beattie
Evidence tells of smuggle plot

An MI5 spook started giving evidence yesterday in the trial of three men charged in connection with "an international arms smuggling plot". The witness was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers.

The witness, referred to as Amir, did not reveal which branch of the security services he was working for but at an earlier hearing the court was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA. The accused, Paul McCaugherty, 43, and Desmond Kearns, 44, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, and 41-year-old Dermot Gregory, also known as Michael Dermot, from Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

Mr McCaugherty faces all seven charges, including conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost EUR46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of IRA and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Kearns is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

The British agent told the court that he started work in August 2004 in an operation against Irish targets. He was ordered to gather information on the activities of a man and his activities and associates in Northern Ireland. He was told the man travelled widely in Europe buying goods and he was asked to make contact and befriend him. The witness said he knew him as "John" and was shown a photo of him. It was claimed in court that this was the accused Kearns.

The agent told the court he first met Kearns outside a store in Luxembourg where he was buying cut-price cigarettes and he told him he could supply them at cheaper rates. After a series of meetings in Europe, the witness said he sold cigarettes, laptops, clothes and jewellery to Kearns and a woman he claimed was his wife Alison, before claiming he could get guns from Pakistan.

The MI5 agent said at one meeting: "Alison told me I should go over to Ireland and supply them with weapons." But she subsequently denied that she had been serious. However, in July 2005, the security services told the agent he should introduce a man to Kearns as a weapons expert called Ejaz.

He said when the subject of guns was raised, Kearns promised to go back to associates and see what they thought but insisted he did not want to get involved in meetings himself.

A tape recording of one meeting in Amsterdam was played in court.

The case continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent: I discussed arms deal with accused

7 May 2010
Belfast Telegraph

An undercover intelligence agent has started giving evidence from behind screens in the trial of three Co Armagh men in connection with what has been described as an international arms smuggling plot by dissident republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was hidden from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers. The witness, who spoke with an English accent, didn't reveal which security service he was working for, but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

On trial are Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory (aka Michael Dermot) from Concession Road in Crossmaglen.

McCaughey faces seven charges: conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost €46,000 for terrorist purposes, membership of “The Irish Republican Army”, and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Kearns is accused with him of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the Alvor restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

Amir told the court he started an operation in August, 2004 against Irish targets and his role was to glean information from a man regarding his activities and associates in Northern Ireland. The witness said he knew the man as John and was shown a photograph of him. The court heard yesterday that he was in reality the accused, Kearns.

Amir said he first met Kearns outside a store in Luxembourg where he was buying cut-price cigarettes and he told him he could supply them even cheaper. After a series of meetings in bars in Brussels and Amsterdam, the witness said he sold Kearns and a woman he was told was his wife Alison cigarettes, laptops, clothes and jewellery before mentioning that he could get guns from Pakistan.

Amir said at one meeting, Alison told him: “You should go over to Ireland and supply them with weapons”. She subsequently denied that she had been serious. However in July 2005 the security services told Amir that he should introduce a man to Kearns as a weapons expert called Ejaz.

The witness said when the subject of guns was raised, Kearns said he would go to his associates and see what they thought but he insisted he didn't want to get involved in any meetings.

A tape recording of one meeting in an Amsterdam bar has been played in court.

The case continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Witness gives evidence at 'M15' case

6 May 2010
UTV News
An intelligence agent has started to give evidence from behind screens in the trial of three County Armagh men charged in connection with what has been described as an international arms smuggling plot by dissident Republicans.

The witness, known only as Amir, was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers. The witness, who spoke with an English accent, didn't reveal which branch of the security services he was working for but an earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty (43) from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns (44) from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory aka Michael Dermot from Concession Road in Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

McCaughey faces all seven charges: conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost 46,000 euro for terrorist purposes, membership of "The Irish Republican Army", and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Kearns is accused with him of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the Alvor restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

Amir told the court that he started work in August, 2004 in an operation against Irish targets and his role was to glean information from a man regarding his activities and associates in Northern Ireland. He was told the man travelled widely in Europe buying goods and he was asked to bump into him and befriend him.

The witness said he knew the man as John and was shown a photograph of him. The court heard on Wednesday that he was in reality the accused Kearns.

Amir said he first met Kearns outside a store in Luxembourg where he was buying cut-price cigarettes and he told him he could supply them at even cheaper rates. After a series of meetings in bars in Brussels and Amsterdam , the witness said he sold Kearns and a woman he was told was his wife Alison cigarettes, laptops, clothes and jewellery before mentioning that he could get guns from Pakistan. Amir said at one meeting, Alison told him "You should go over to Ireland and supply them with weapons" but she subsequently denied that she'd been serious.

However in July 2005, the security services told Amir that he should introduce a man to Kearns as a weapons expert called Ejaz.

The witness said that when the subject of guns was raised, Kearns said he would go back to his associates and see what they thought but he insisted he didn't want to get involved in any meetings himself.

A tape recording of one meeting in an Amsterdam bar has been played in court.

The case continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal

Witness talks at 'MI5 sting' case

6 May 2010
BBC News

An intelligence agent has started giving evidence in the trial of three NI men charged in connection with "an international arms smuggling plot". The witness was hidden from view from everyone in Belfast Crown Court, except the judge Mr Justice Hart and lawyers.

The witness, referred to as Amir, did not reveal which branch of the security services he was working for. An earlier hearing was told the operation was part of an MI5 sting against the Real IRA.

Between them the trio, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court, Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and Dermot Declan Gregory, 41, also known as Michael Dermot from Concession Road, Crossmaglen, deny a total of seven charges.

Mr McCaughey (SIC) faces all seven charges, including conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost 46,000 euros for terrorist purposes, membership of "The Irish Republican Army", and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Mr Kearns is accused of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Mr Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

The witness told the court that he started work in August 2004 in an operation against Irish targets and his role was to glean information from a man regarding his activities and associates in Northern Ireland.

He was told the man travelled widely in Europe buying goods and he was asked to bump into him and befriend him.

The witness said he knew the man as John and was shown a photograph of him. It was claimed in court on Wednesday that he was the accused Mr Kearns.

The witness said he first met Mr Kearns outside a store in Luxembourg where he was buying cut-price cigarettes and he told him he could supply them at even cheaper rates.

After a series of meetings in bars in Brussels and Amsterdam, the witness said he sold Mr Kearns, and a woman he was told was his wife Alison, cigarettes, laptops, clothes and jewellery before mentioning that he could get guns from Pakistan.

The witness said at one meeting, Alison told him he "should go over to Ireland and supply them with weapons", but she subsequently denied that she had been serious.

However in July 2005, the security services told the witness that he should introduce a man to Mr Kearns as a weapons expert called Ejaz.

The witness said that when the subject of guns was raised, Mr Kearns said he would go back to his associates and see what they thought but he insisted he did not want to get involved in any meetings himself.

A tape recording of one meeting in an Amsterdam bar has been played in court.

The case continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, Ejaz, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Trio on trial over gun-smuggling plot

6 May 2010
Newsletter

Three Co Armagh men arrested following a two-year operation directed by "role-playing officers from the Security Services" yesterday went on trial in Belfast.

While no direct reference was made as to which branch of the "Security Services" was involved, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart was told at an earlier hearing the case involved an MI5 sting operation against the Real IRA.

Between them the trio - Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, 43, from Beech Court; Desmond Paul Kearns, 44, from Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan; and 41-year-old Dermot Declan Gregory, aka Michael Dermot, from Concession Road in Crossmaglen - deny a total of seven charges.

McCaugherty faces all seven charges: conspiring to possess firearms and explosives and using almost 46,000 euro for terrorist purposes, membership of "The Irish Republican Army", and making the deeds of a Portuguese restaurant available for the purposes of terrorism.

Kearns is accused with him of conspiring to possess firearms and explosives, while Gregory is accused of making the deeds of the Alvor restaurant in Portugal available for the purposes of terrorism.

During his hour-long opening, prosecuting QC Gordon Kerr said the operation began in August 2004 and ended with the arrest of the trio in June 2006.

The operation, which the court previously heard related to what police believe was an international gun-smuggling operation, involved numerous meetings throughout Europe and even Istanbul in Turkey.

Various conversations during the multitude of meetings were secretly taped and in some cases even videoed. Again, at an earlier hearing, Mr Justice Hart was told that there were 90 hours of bugged conversations.

Mr Kerr said "the offences arise from an operation conducted with the Security Services, directed to disrupt the supply and flow of money to dissident republicans in Ireland".

Mr Kerr said it all began in August 2004 with the "focus of the operation" on Kearns, who at one stage allegedly took his wife Allison and two children to one of the clandestine meetings.

Mr Kerr said "the initial part of the operation commenced with a role player used by Security Services who was and will be referred to as Amir".

"He was assisted by a number of other operatives in particular his driver called Immran," he added.

The lawyer said that Amir, supplied with a photograph of Kearns, approached him with a deal to supply goods, in particular cheap cigarettes.

Over the coming months and year the two met, mainly in Irish bars in Amsterdam, Brussels and Bruges, where they discussed the purchase of cheap cigarettes.

However, by September 2005, Kearns allegedly agreed to meet with a friend of Amir's from Pakistan called Ali, who was also an undercover operative.

Kearns allegedly said the organisation had 100,000 euro, or dollars, to spend and during a discussion on Northern Ireland said, "they had to do something to re-start things".

Mr Kerr claimed that Kearns finally introduced McCaugherty to Ali, through Amir, after which he had no further dealings with Ali.

The lawyer said that McCaugherty met with Ali on a number of occasions, even travelling to Istanbul in Turkey to allegedly discuss the supply of arms and munitions and their transportation.

McCaugherty, who also allegedly handed over bundles of euros in a specially-adapted bag, said he needed "explosives, pistols, AK 47s, armour piercing stuff, snipers, cords and dets".

At one stage Ali said he could provide "1,000 kilo of explosives, detonators and cords, 20 AK 47s, 20 RPG 22s, 10 sniper rifles, 20 pistols with silencers, and the price was 104,000 euro".

Mr Kerr said that McCaugherty claimed his organisation had made the bomb used in Omagh, but they had given it to others who had "screwed it up".

The trial is expected to last up to five weeks. At hearing.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Omagh, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

MI5 agent first to testify in north in more than 20 years

6 May 2010
The Irish News

An MI5 agent will today become the first to give evidence in a Northern Ireland court in more than 20 years when he testifies against three Co Armagh men implicated in a Real IRA gun-smuggling plot.

Paul McCaugherty (43), of Beech Court, and Desmond Kearns (44), of Tannaghmore Green, both Lurgan, and Dermot Gregory (41) - also known as Michael Dermot - of Concession Road in Crossmaglen, went on trial yesterday charged with involvement in a plot to smuggle explosives and dozens of weapons into Northern Ireland in 2006.

The alleged plot was uncovered by MI5 agents who made 90 hours of secret recordings of the suspects.

There is expected to be a heavy security presence at Belfast Crown Court as an MI5 agent codenamed 'Amir', who had previously refused to give evidence, appears in the witness box.

In October The Irish News revealed how Amir had refused to give evidence unless he was given £650,000 and a medal from the Queen. He accused his MI5 handlers of betrayal when, despite earlier assurances, he was ordered to testify against the dissident suspects. It is understood that he has since reluctantly agreed to comply after being warned that he could be arrested and forced before the court.

The sting began in 2004 when the agent approached Kearns as he visited a shop in Luxembourg to buy cigarettes. Over the following months Amir and Kearns discussed deals to smuggle cheap cigarettes to Northern Ireland.

At their third meeting Kearns was accompanied by his wife Allison who allegedly asked Amir about buying weapons. When Amir later asked Kearns whether his wife had been serious he played down the discussion but promised to take the offer back "to others at home".

Kearns later confided to Amir that he had previously been approached by MI5 and offered money to spy on associates "back home".

When Amir said he had an associate who could provide weapons Kearns allegedly said he had a friend who might be interested but found it difficult to travel because he was under Special Branch surveillance in Northern Ireland.

During further meetings Kearns is alleged to have said he did not want to become involved in weapons smuggling but to have agreed to meet Amir's weapons expert, 'Ali'. Asked what weapons his friend wanted to buy, Kearns allegedly replied: "Smalls, longs, plastic explosives, detonators and hand grenades."

The agent said he could supply AK47s, sniper rifles, rockets, mines and machines to make guns.

When Ali asked what the weapons would be used for, Kearns allegedly replied "hit and runs" and that dissidents "had to do something to try to restart things".

Kearns then brought Paul McCaugherty to meet Ali in Amsterdam, the court was told. McCaugherty allegedly introduced himself as 'Timothy' and said he wanted to buy explosives, pistols, AK47s, sniper rifles and detonators.

Prosecutors say McCaugherty wanted to secure hand-grenades to throw into police Land Rovers as officers drove around with the rear doors open in summer.

When the men met again later that year McCaugherty said he had money problems. He said there was a restaurant run by an Irish woman in Portugal which Ali could have if he could persuade her to hand over the deeds.

The court was told that the deeds were in the names of south Armagh woman Teresa Murphy and her then partner, Owen McNamee but that Gregory had supplied the cash to buy the bar.


Murphy later told police she received a telephone call from Gregory in 2006 telling her that he wanted the deeds to be handed over to him.

Within days two men claiming to be from the Real IRA came to her house and demanded the deeds.


They said the bar belonged to the Real IRA and that she and her daughter would be killed unless she handed them over, the court was told.

Kearns, McCaugherty and Gregory were arrested in June 2006.

When McCaugherty's home was searched receipts from his wife's credit card were found to have paid for his European trips. A note containing Murphy's personal details was also discovered.

McCaugherty refused to give a statement during police questioning, claiming he feared that legal discussions with his solicitor were being secretly recorded by officers.

Gregory went to police in November 2006 claiming that he had bought the restaurant with money from his father's estate but that he had been threatened by the Real IRA after an acrimonious split with his partner.

He claimed that the Real IRA had then offered to recover the restaurant for a fee. He denied threatening Murphy and claimed that he had handed over the deeds under duress.

The trial continues.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Alison Kearns, Alvor, Amir, Dermot Declan Gregory, Desmond Paul Kearns, MI5, Michael Dermot, Owen McNamee, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA, Teresa Murphy