An alleged dissident republican suggested kidnapping drug dealers to obtain an arsenal of weapons, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors claimed 52-year-old Kevin Barry Murphy discussed using murder threats and demanding a £500,000 ransom at secretly recorded meetings where he was described as the New IRA’s Chief of Staff.
Talks also involved potential bombing campaigns, cyber attacks, securing the backing of a foreign regime and close-quarter shootings of police officers, a judge was told.
Murphy, of Altowen Park in Coalisland, Co Tyrone is among 10 people charged in connection with a joint MI5/PSNI surveillance operation which targeted two gatherings in the Omagh area in February and July 2020.
He is accused of directing a terrorist organisation, membership of a proscribed grouping, possessing an article for terrorist purposes, and preparation of terrorist acts.
As Murphy mounted a first High Court bail application after spending three years remanded in custody, a Crown lawyer said police officers identified him as allegedly present at both meetings.
She disclosed that all those who attended took steps to counter any potential surveillance by leaving their phones at home and travelling in alternative vehicles.
Everyone was then searched before any discussions commenced.
Murphy allegedly addressed the gathering as the IRA’s Chief of Staff, with others described as the “middle leadership” of the organisation’s Army Executive.
Those in attendance talked about the membership and role of the dissident grouping, its constitution, military and recruitment strategies, engineering capabilities, weaponry and efforts to build an arsenal, the court heard.
At one stage Murphy allegedly stated: “We have all come from the Provo days, we know how structure works… you have two choices, you do your job or you don’t do it, but you certainly don’t undermine it.”
Prosecution counsel claimed he referred to weapons that may be stored in dumps.
“We are sending people all around the world to try and source gear and bring it in and do all sorts of things when Ireland is full of it.”
Discussions at the second gathering involved kidnapping drug dealers, including one with a batch of rifles, handguns, shotguns and possible rocket-propelled grenade.
It was claimed that Murphy suggested: “Why don’t we take him away, phone up somebody belonging to him and say ‘within an hour we want every weapon and we want £500,000 in cash or (he's) going into the river’.
“He’d be going into the river anyway.”
The alleged proposal was tabled for debate before being ruled out, the court heard.
Opposing Murphy's application for bail, the prosecutor submitted: “These individuals are willing to engage with middle eastern extreme organisations to fulfil their ideology and further IRA goals.”
However, a defence barrister predicted that any trial may not begin until 2025.
Highlighting the three-year period Murphy has already spent in prison on the charges, he argued that there should be parity with some co-accused who have secured release.
Family circumstances and the offer of an independent cash surety were also advanced as part of the application.
Adjourning the case, Mr Justice Humphreys indicated that he will give a ruling next week.