A BELFAST man who admitted purchasing a mobile phone and top-up vouchers which were linked to the discovery of a bomb in Ardoyne is to be sentenced next week.
Conal Corbett, from Oisin House, Victoria Parade in the New Lodge, admitted four offences that fall under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The 19-year old was arrested at his then Flax Street flat in May 2015 following a police investigation into the discovery of a bomb which was hidden in advertising hoarding in the Brompton Park area of north Belfast.
Belfast Crown Court heard on Tuesday that while Corbett was linked to the incident by purchasing a mobile and top-up vouchers used in connection with the bomb plot, there was no evidence to suggest he was involved in either the preparation or placing of the device.
Corbett's barrister said that the incident occurred two years ago at a time when he was "lacking in maturity", adding the offences which his client admitted were "at the low end of the spectrum that falls within the Terrorist Act."
A Crown prosecutor said Corbett's involvement came to light during the police investigation into the device left in Ardoyne which was found by police in a follow-up search after a priest received a call saying a bomb had been left behind advertising hoarding at Sean Graham's Bookmakers at Brompton Park.
The prosecutor said that a group calling itself the New IRA later claimed responsibility.
Following the discovery, a police investigation was launched and it emerged that a top-up card used for one of the handsets had been bought in the Eurospar in Ardoyne.
CCTV footage from the store was seized and examined, which led to police searching Corbett's flat.
The court heard that Corbett was also linked by CCTV footage to the purchase of a mobile phone and top-up card bought in CastleCourt on April 27, 2015.
Corbett was arrested on May 7 and during a search of the premises, officers located a number of items which the Crown say showed sympathies with the Republican cause.
These items included a handkerchief of Padraig Pearse which had been signed by prisoners from the dissident wing in Maghaberry.
Other items located included a crossbow, a black balaclava and political poems written by Corbett.
The prosecutor revealed that two items linked to terrorism were also located.
One was a piece of paper which had been folded and hidden in a doorbell box and which related to component parts of a rifle and ammunition and instructions on how to assembly an AK47
Corbett was interviewed on 12 separate occasions, and during each interview he made no reply to any question asked.
He subsequently pleaded guilty four offences - two counts of possessing items for terrorist-related offences, namely the mobile phone and two top-up vouchers; collecting or making records of information for terrorism, and also possessing documents useful for terrorism.
Defence barrister Mark Mulholland QC said that Corbett's offending came at a time when there was an "element of naivety" and subsequent events had been a "stark wake-up call" for Corbett and his family.
Judge Kerr said he wanted time to reflect ahead of sentencing, which will take place next Monday, and released Corbett on continuing bail.
