A man police claim is an “active member of a service unit for the IRA” allegedly targeting police officers has been granted bail.
Despite police objections that Damien Duffy (47) was “highly likely” to commit further offences or abscond across the border, a district judge said given the fact his two co-accused have been released he would allow bail but with numerous conditions.
Judge Mark Hamill also warned that the prosecution “have a four-hour window” to decide whether to appeal his ruling at the High Court.
It is understood an appeal was not mounted.
Duffy, from Westclare Court near Coalisland, Co Tyrone and who is a brother of prominent republican Colin Duffy, has been on remand at Maghaberry prison facing a charge of preparation of terrorist acts, namely targeting a former member of the security forces, in September 2016.
Facing the same offence are Lurgan men Ciaran Magee (24), from Lake Street, and Shea Reynolds (22), from the Kilwilkie Road, both of whom have been granted bail.
Giving evidence to Lisburn Magistrates Court yesterday, a detective sergeant described how police launched a lengthy covert surveillance operation in the Lurgan area, at the end of which they uncovered a camera which had been recording footage at the home of a retired police officer and on a road routinely used by officers going to and from Cookstown PSNI station.
He said the investigation “centres around the New IRA” in Craigavon and Coalisland and police believe Duffy is an “active member of a service unit for the IRA... and was involved in attempting to gather information of potential targets and victims”.
The officer told the court that on a memory card recovered from inside the camera, set to take 20-second videos and with a movement sensor, police found 200 video clips including a number which recorded Duffy himself and the inside of his home.
Arrested in September and interviewed over five days, he “chose to remain silent”.
Asked by Judge Hamill what distinguishes Duffy from his co-accused, the detective claimed there was “a stronger case perhaps” against him, adding that given the support network for such an organisation he may abscond to the Republic.
Defence barrister Sean Devine said Duffy had twice been granted compassionate bail with no issues and had previously been on bail for 20 months without breaches over a more serious offence, for which he was ultimately acquitted.
Judge Hamill said he would release Duffy on his own bail of £500 with a £2,000 cash surety along with conditions barring him from contacting his co-accused, entering Lurgan, being in a private vehicle other than that of his partner, or owning or using a mobile phone.
The judge also ordered him to live at his home address, to keep a curfew, report to police three times a week and to be electronically tagged.
