A 46-year-old male was arrested amid Police Service of Northern Ireland’s operation
A man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act after threats were made to councillors.
According to BelfastLive, the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) conducted the operation after threats were made to Newry, Mourne and Down councillors by the ‘New Republican Movement’.
The LDRS (Local Democracy Reporting Service) understands, through a council source, that a live (Jan 13) search is being conducted with the PSNI now confirming a 46-year-old male arrested in the ‘Newry area’ under the Terrorism Act.
The LDRS has previously reported on audio messages being sent to a number of elected members of Sinn Fein, Alliance and the SDLP identifying them as “legitimate targets”.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Bradley said: “The man, aged 46, was arrested under the Terrorism Act.
“The searches and subsequent arrest forms part of an investigation into reports of threats made to elected representatives in Newry, Mourne and Down.
“The arrested man remains in police custody at this time, assisting with enquiries.”
A failed pipe bomb attack was carried out at Sinn Fein office in Monaghan Street, Newry in the same month.
A video threat (Dec 2025) was also made by three armed and masked men in front of an Irish flag, in a video circulating on social media.
One of them read a statement which said the area’s assembly members (MLAs) and councillors were considered targets because of “policies” around immigration.
The video threats purport to come from a previously unheard of group calling itself the “New Republican Movement”.
A PSNI statement adds: “Officers from both PSNI Serious Crime Branch and Local Policing in Newry, Mourne and Down are continuing to co-ordinate their efforts and work together to fully investigate threats directed towards our elected representatives, hold those responsible to account, and keep our community safe.”
