LAST UPDATE | 22 Jan

POLICE IN THE North have charged a 58-year-old man after a group, claiming to represent the IRA, entered and threatened four pubs and a meeting a GAA club in Derry last week. 

In a statement this morning, PSNI Detective Inspector Wilson said reports of similar incident in four separate pubs were also received on Friday.

Police understand the pubs were “heavily populated” at the time of the incidents, Wilson said this morning, and detectives are keen to speak with anyone who was inside the bars when the group arrived.

Yesterday, police in Derry arrested a 58-year-old man as part of an ongoing investigation connected with the incidents. The man was arrested under the terrorism act.

Detectives from the Terrorism Investigations Unit have now charged a 58-year-old man with professing membership of a proscribed organisation, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. 

He is expected to appear before Antrim Magistrates Court tomorrow. 

“Our investigation remains ongoing and as part of this, we want to speak to anyone who has information on the whereabouts or movement of a white Peugeot Partner van bearing the registration MK62 POA,” Wilson said. 

“If you have any information, the number to call is 101 quoting reference number 1421 19/01/24.”

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.

In a thread of posts on social media this morning, Dungiven GAC – the club where the men arrived – said it was “extremely angry and shocked at masked men entering our premises and issuing threats against our community”.

The club said the group entered the building while over 100 children and parents were also inside, attending an underage presentation meeting. 

“We as a club executive would like to state categorically that we would not tolerate such activities, and to our knowledge no such activities take place in or on our premises,” it added.

Dungiven GAC also highlighted that it runs multiple workshops which aim to assist those dealing with addictions issues and are involved with cross-community action projects against criminality.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin