Charges against a man accused of taking part in dissident republican activity have been dropped.
Ciaran Magee, with an address at Commons Hall Road in Newry, Co Down, had been awaiting trial on charges of preparing acts of terrorism, possessing articles for use in terrorism and trying to collect information on a retired PSNI officer.
However, the prosecution was halted during a hearing at Belfast Crown Court yesterday during which submissions were made by Mr Magee's London based barrister, Orlando Powell QC.
Mr Magee was one of three men facing charges in relation to the case including Damien Duffy, of Westclare Court near Coalisland,- a brother of prominent Co Armagh republican Colin Duffy - Shea Reynolds, with an address at Kilwilkie Road, Lurgan.
Mr Magee was arrested after an improvised explosive device was seized during raids in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in September 2016.
It was later revealed that a surveillance operation had been launched the previous month.
During a high Court bail hearing it emerged that the device had been stored in the attic of a house after a failed bid to kill police in Co Armagh.
Prosecutors had claimed the organisation referred to as the 'New IRA' had unsuccessfully deployed the device in the Craigavon area in August 2016.
Mr Magee was also accused of using a wildlife camera to spy on the home of a retired PSNI officer at Magheralin, near Lurgan, in September 2016.
It was also claimed that the camera was previously located at Annaghone Road in Stewartstown, Co Tyrone
The court heard that the route is regularly used by both on and off-duty police officers.
Solicitor Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law welcomed yesterday's ruling.
“He has spent 18 months in custody", he said.
"It should not have been proceeded with in the first place.
“There was no evidence that any jury could convict on and that has been vindicated by judge Miller's judgment.”
