Northern Ireland

PSNI urged to make public statement on Tyrone spy cameras

Three spy cameras and what is believed to be a transmitter found earlier this year in Co Tyrone
Three spy cameras and what is believed to be a transmitter found earlier this year in Co Tyrone Three spy cameras and what is believed to be a transmitter found earlier this year in Co Tyrone

The PSNI has been urged to clarify if the British army or other state agency was responsible for three spy cameras recently found in Co Tyrone.

The cameras were discovered dug into a bank overlooking Kelly's Inn, which is on the main A5 Derry to Belfast road.

The venue is one of the north's best known roadside inns and is close to the Tyrone GAA centre at Garvaghey.

The high powered cameras, a transmitter and battery pack, were discovered on a remote hillside overlooking the venue earlier this year.

The bank where the spy cameras, a transmitter and power pack were dug in on the ridge of a hill overlooking Kelly's Inn, which can be seen in the distance
The bank where the spy cameras, a transmitter and power pack were dug in on the ridge of a hill overlooking Kelly's Inn, which can be seen in the distance The bank where the spy cameras, a transmitter and power pack were dug in on the ridge of a hill overlooking Kelly's Inn, which can be seen in the distance

It is not clear how the surveillance equipment was found or of its present whereabouts.

It is believed dissident republicans may have been the target of the operation.

There is no suggestion that the popular venue was aware of any meetings involving such groups taking place on its premises.

It is unclear if the surveillance operation was a joint venture involving different security agencies or if other devices remain in the vicinity.

DISCOVERY: Kellyâ??s Inn in Garvaghey near Ballygawley. Right, the three spy cameras and what is believed to be a transmitter
DISCOVERY: Kellyâ??s Inn in Garvaghey near Ballygawley. Right, the three spy cameras and what is believed to be a transmitter DISCOVERY: Kellyâ??s Inn in Garvaghey near Ballygawley. Right, the three spy cameras and what is believed to be a transmitter

The find took place just days after a several cameras linked to a Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) survey were also discovered in Tyrone.

The Kelly's Inn find was raised with PSNI district commander Alywin Barton at a meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership earlier this week.

Asked about the discovery by Sinn Féin councillor Barry McElduff, Mr Barton referred to NIE.

"It was my understanding that there were a range if cameras over a long stretch of geographical area, which were installed by NIE on a rolling basis as part of a survey and I think where we need to go with this one is perhaps a conversation with NIE to specifically identify the exact location.

"If those exact locations don't cover all the areas the councillor is concerned with then that points towards asking other agencies 'do you know anything about them?'"

He added that "it has nothing to do with policing enforcement at this moment in time".

In a statement last night a spokeswoman for NIE said: “We can confirm that these cameras do not belong to NIE Networks."

Speaking after the meeting Mr McElduff said: "I would like the district commander of the PSNI to make a public statement and to confirm whether or not there has been involvement of the British army or other British state agencies."

Mr McElduff said local people are concerned by the development.

"The local community have come to me and they are disturbed and worried about this and regard it as sinister," he said.

A spokesman for the PSNI said: "The PSNI does not comment on speculation of this nature. No inference should be drawn from this."

The discovery of the surveillance operation came just months after details of a double MI5 sting in Co Tyrone emerged last year.

Two separate meetings near Creggan and Gortin, which are alleged to be linked to the New IRA, were bugged by MI5 and later resulted in the arrest of ten people who have subsequently been charged.