The wife of an alleged IRA Chief of Staff currently remanded in custody following a joint PSNI/M15 undercover sting, has been charged with recording court hearings to which she was tuned in by video-link.
Lorraine Murphy (49), from Altowen park, Coalisland, is accused of making an unauthorised recording of an image or sound being transmitted through a live video or audio link.
This is alleged to have occurred during sittings of Dungannon Magistrates Court on April 6, May 4, May 18 and three times on June 8 last year.
The defendant’s husband Kevin Barry Murphy (52) is charged with professing to belonging to a terrorist organisation, directing terrorist activities and possessing an article for use in terrorism namely ‘Saoradh’ strategy document in suspicious circumstances.
It is further alleged he engaged in preparation for acts of terrorism by being the IRA Chief-of-Staff and a member of the Army Council and liaising with fellow members.
In addition, he is accused of assisting in recruitment to and formation of the IRA Executive and attending meetings in Gortin and Sixmilecross, as well as being involved in reviewing the IRA constitution and developing the strategy.
Murphy also allegedly monitored the role of others within the IRA, oversaw operational activities, reviewed security and intelligence structures, engaged with groups internationally travelling to Brussels and Lebanon as well as endeavouring to obtain resources, munitions and weapons for the IRA.
Finally, Murphy faces two counts of conspiring to direct acts of terrorism.
There are nine co-accused in the case: David Jordan, Sharon Jordan, and Damien Joseph McLaughlin from Dungannon, Isaam Bassalat from Edinburgh, Amanda McCabe and Shea Reynolds from Lurgan and Patrick McDaid, Joseph Barr and Gary Hayden from Derry/Londonderry.
All face similar allegations of IRA membership and directing terrorist activity between 2018 and 2020.
Covert recordings allegedly carried out by a state-agent captured discussions on the IRA executive, recruitment, weaponry, an economic bombing campaign, close-quarter shootings of police officers and cyber-attacks.
The majority of the defendants remain remanded in custody but some have been granted bail on stringent terms.
No details surrounding the circumstances of the charges against Ms Murphy, what was captured on the recordings or how they were discovered, were disclosed.
A defence barrister requested some time to consult with his client after which Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare listed the matter for mention again on April 5.