Seven due in NI courts charged with dissident offences

Seven people are due in courts across the North today accused of serious dissident republican offences.

The six men and one woman, who face a range of charges including directing terrorism, conspiracy to murder and attending a terrorist training camp, were arrested after a joint operation between the PSNI and British intelligence agents. 

Three of the men, suspected members of the dissident Irish republican group the Real IRA, were arrested in Lurgan, near Belfast last Monday. 

It follows a major police investigation into dissident republican activity, carried out in conjunction with the MI5.

One of those charged, a 47-year-old, faces the rarely used charge of directing terrorism. 

He and two men aged 41 and 42 are to appear in court in Lisburn today, charged with offences including conspiracy to murder and to cause an explosion. 

Meanwhile, two other men, aged 33 and 34, arrested in County Tyrone last Saturday are due in court in Omagh. 

Both have been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, attendance at a place used for terrorist training and preparation of terrorist acts.

And two more people, a 46-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, were charged with directing terrorism, bringing the total to seven