A SERVING member of the British Armed Forces was arrested in Somerset yesterday on suspicion of Northern Ireland-related terrorism offences.
It has yet to be confirmed by police but the Guardian, the BBC, Sky News and local media in the area have all named the man as Ciarán Maxwell originally from Larne, Co. Antrim.
Ciarán Maxwell was arrested in Somerset in England (Source: Facebook)This is what we know so far about the arrest:
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A man, named in the media as Ciarán Maxwell, has been arrested
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The 30-year-old is a serving officer in the Royal Marines
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He was arrested in Somerset
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He is being held at a West Country police station as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland-related terrorism
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He's suspected of being involved in preparing for acts of terrorism
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A house and woodland in Devon were searched along with two houses in Larne
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He was detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command after searches in Larne, Northern Ireland and Devon
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Police in Devon say searches are expected to continue throughout the weekend at the property in Exminster, Devon
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Police said the operation was pre-planned and intelligence-led
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The current threat level to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism is severe
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The current threat level to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) from Northern Ireland-related terrorism is substantial
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Larne is predominantly a loyalist area but according to the Larne Times, police have concluded the weapons discovered were likely to have be intended for dissident republicans
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Police have asked the public to report any suspicious activity to the anti-terrorism hotline 0800 789 321.
See More: Antrim, Featured, Northern Ireland, PSNI
