Two men charged By detectives from the terrorism investigation unit of Police Service Northern Ireland

The Assistant Chief Constable Crime Department, Mark McEwan in a statement said:

“Over the last two years police have continued to examine lines of enquiry in connection with this ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA. Yesterday’s arrests and examination of a public area in west Belfast is a significant development, in a long term enquiry, into this terrorist organisation.

“Two of the individuals have now been charged with a number of terrorist offences and are expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court tomorrow morning, Friday 26 August.

“A 62 year old man has been charged with Belonging or professing to belonging to a Proscribed Organisation, Directing a Terrorist Organisation and Preparation of Terrorist Acts.

“A 51 year old man has also been charged with Belonging or professing to belonging to a Proscribed Organisation, Directing a Terrorist Organisation and Preparation of Terrorist Acts.

“Despite significant progress against the New IRA, we cannot be complacent in any way about investigating their activities. Those investigations are most effective when police and communities work together.”