Police say Belfast explosives find is linked to far-right terrorism

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said an arsenal of explosive devices found in Belfast is believed to be linked to far-right terrorism, according to The Guardian.

The material was found during searches in the Shankill Road area of Belfast on 30 and 31 October. It included 17 improvised explosive devices, meaning homemade bombs, along with other material. Officers also recovered two detonators, the components used to set off explosives, and five stun guns.

"The investigation is linked to extreme rightwing terrorism," the PSNI said.

One man was arrested in connection with the haul. Wesley Thomas Fletcher, 35, of Leopold Street, appeared at Belfast magistrates court on Monday to face two charges of possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances and one charge of possession of a prohibited weapon, a Taser, which is a type of stun gun. Asked whether he understood the charges, he replied "Yes."

No application for bail was made, and Fletcher was remanded in custody, meaning he will be held in jail until his next hearing. That hearing is scheduled for 30 November.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that the haul was the largest seizure of weaponry linked to the far right ever made in Northern Ireland. Amnesty International expressed concern after the PSNI confirmed the link between the Shankill Road devices and far-right extremism.