Sinn Féin's chief Stormont administrator was last night charged with having confidential details of members of the police and British soldiers, including the head of the British army in Northern Ireland, writes Gerry Moriarty, Northern Editor
A tense sitting of Belfast Magistrates' Court was told that a rucksack of documents were found in the home of Mr Denis Donaldson (52), from Aitnamona Crescent, Belfast, that were likely to be of use to terrorists in planning or carrying out acts of violence.
Ms Fiona Farrelly (46), a caterer from Ros Goill Park, Belfast, appeared at the same court charged with having a computer laptop containing information on Northern Ireland prison service employees, again that could be useful to terrorists.
Both defendants were remanded in custody to a video link hearing next Friday.
They appeared in court as the political process faced collapse because of the repercussions flowing from Friday's PSNI raids at Sinn Féin's Stormont offices and in west and north Belfast and the recovery of hundreds of allegedly incriminating documents originating from the Northern Ireland Office.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, are to hold crisis talks in Downing Street on Wednesday night.
Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams is also due to meet Mr Ahern and Mr Blair.
Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble is expected to hold talks with Mr Blair tomorrow or on Wednesday.
A large crowd of republicans, including Mr Adams and a number of other party MLAs, gathered at Belfast Magistrates' Court for the hearing last night. There was a heavy presence of armed police inside and outside the court.
The court heard the prosecuting police officer say that the police had a "vast amount of articles to go through" in relation to the charges against Mr Donaldson.
Mr Donaldson was neatly dressed in a suit, shirt and maroon tie and appeared relaxed and composed throughout the hearing. He nodded assent when asked if he understood the charges.
As well as allegedly having information on a PSNI officer, and British soldiers including the General Officer Commanding, Lieut Gen Sir Alistair Irwin, he was charged with having details on known loyalists, and with possessing a sketch of Castle Buildings, Stormont (where Northern Secretary Dr John Reid is based) and confidential documents from the Northern Ireland Office.
PSNI Det Insp Paul McClatchey told magistrate Mr Mark Hamill that when charged Mr Donaldson had replied: "Not guilty". Det Insp McClatchey told the magistrate that he believed he could connect Mr Donaldson to all the charges.
He said that when Ms Farrelly was charged she did not respond.
Det Insp McClatchey told the court that because there were so many documents police were prioritising how they were dealing with them.
If there was anything else allegedly incriminating in the material, further charges could follow, he added.
Mr Donaldson's solicitor, Mr Peter Madden, said he would be making a High Court bail application for his client.
Mr Madden was also critical of some press coverage of the case. "It infringes on the right to a fair trial and inflames a situation that is already serious," he said.
"Speculative journalism is not helpful," Mr Madden told the court.
Outside, before the court haring, Mr Adams accused the British government of following a political agenda so that Sinn Féin might be blamed for the inevitable collapse of the Executive and Assembly when it was Mr Trimble who should take the responsibility.
Before being led away from the court, Mr Donaldson smiled and waved at his wife and family and at Mr Adams and others in the public gallery.
Ms Farrelly's solicitor asked for special permission for her to speak to her family before being removed to her cell.
Her request should be facilitated if possible, said magistrate Mr Hamill.