Terror charges against family members dropped

The case was heard at Londonderry Magistrates' Court

Three members of the same family accused of terrorism offences have had all charges against them dropped at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.

Gerard Kelly, 48, of Victoria Place in Derry, his 26-year-old daughter Shannon Kelly, of Creevagh Heights and brother John Kelly, 43, of Columbcille Court, were arrested following a major anti-terrorist operation in Derry in September 2023.

Lawyers gave no explanation for the decision other than to say the test for prosecution against them had not been met.

They had been charged with having two Soviet grenade heads, two detonators and a gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

At the time, the police linked the weapons to the New IRA.

The three had been accused of having the weapons in suspicious circumstances with intent to endanger life.

At Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Thursday, a prosecutor said all charges against all three accused were being withdrawn.

Violence flared following the police operation in the Creevagh Heights area of Creggan in September, during which 16 police officers were injured.