News

National Crime Agency secretly operates in north

A controversial new security body set up by the British government has been operating unannounced in northern ireland. The London-based national crime agency was launched last october to tackle organised crime including drug smuggling, people trafficking and international fraud. However, the SDLP and Sinn Fein have blocked attempts to extend its remit to the north because it would not be accountable to the Policing Board or the ombudsman. The agency's activity in the north emerged when its fugitives unit was involved in the serving of a european arrest warrant on a co tyrone dissident republican minutes after his release from Maghaberry Prison on easter Monday. Brian cavlan, pictured, who had just completed a sentence for offences relating to a 2011 arms seizure near Keady, co armagh, is wanted by gardai over the robbery of a debt collector in co Monaghan. It is understood the agency has taken over responsibility for the administration of european arrest warrants. Both main nationalist parties have blocked moves to let the agency carry out operations and recruit agents in the north amid concerns about a lack of accountability. Last week justice minister David Ford urged Sinn Fein to "step up" efforts to allow the agency to begin work. Last night SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly said: "We would have been working hard in the last number of months to get the right accountability mechanisms. "it is interesting to learn they have been actively involved in this case and it proves the point we have been making." ? Story in full ? P4