Stormont porter charged with aiding terrorists

A former Stormont porter copied top-security papers on Northern Ireland's most senior army officer, a Belfast court was told …

A former Stormont porter copied top-security papers on Northern Ireland's most senior army officer, a Belfast court was told today.

Mr William Mackessy (44), from Wolfend Way, Ligoniel, appeared this morning at Belfast Magistrates' Court to face two charges of aiding terrorists while working at the Northern Ireland Office.

He is the third person charged following the police raids on Sinn Féin's offices at Stormont last Friday.

The court heard that Mr Mackessy was moved from Castle buildings to another part of the civil service in September 2001 after he was discovered photocopying unauthorised documents.

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Mr Mackessy said "No reply" when he was accused of making a record of details on members of Her Majesty's Forces including the General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland, Lieut Gen Sir Alistair Irwin, that could be useful to terrorists between April 1st 2000 and October 4th 2002.

He is also accused of having material that could be used by a paramilitaries to plan act of violence between the same dates.

On Sunday night, Sinn Féin's chief Stormont administrator was charged at the same court with having confidential details of members of the police and British soldiers The court was told 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.