Government freezes assets linked to New IRA

The UK treasury has frozen assets of the New IRA and 48-year-old Kieran Gallagher

The UK government has said it is freezing assets associated with the New IRA and of a man from Londonderry it believes is involved in terrorist activity.

The sanctions prohibit anyone from dealing with any funds or resources owned, held or controlled by the New IRA or by Kieran Gallagher, 48, from Derry.

The government said it has reasonable grounds to suspect Mr Gallagher is involved in terrorist activity.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said the imposition of sanctions sends "a clear signal" that the UK works proactively to "stop terrorist financing".

"This action is the second use of the Treasury-led domestic counter-terrorism regime to target Northern Ireland-related terrorism," Rigby said.

"These designations reflect this government's continued commitment to protecting the peaceful consensus of the people of Northern Ireland, and to upholding the principles of the Good Friday Agreement in support of the UK's wider efforts to protect national security for all citizens."

The government said it suspected Mr Gallagher of providing financial services, or making available funds or economic resources, for the purposes of terrorism.

He is further suspected of "being involved in terrorist activity by facilitating terrorism," it added.

Mr Gallagher is also subject to sanctions which prohibit him from acting as a director of a company or taking part in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

The New IRA is believed to have been formed between 2011 and 2012.

It followed the merger of a number of smaller groups, including the Real IRA.