Three men have appeared in court in Lisburn, Co Antrim, charged with terrorism-related offences.
There was heavy security as Paul John Duffy (47) arrived in the courtroom to face a charge of directing terrorism. He was also accused of conspiracy to murder, collecting information likely to be of use to terrorists, planning acts of terrorism and conspiring to cause an explosion.
Damien Duffy (42) and Shane Duffy (41) faced the same charges which the exception of directing terrorism.
It followed a major police and security services operation. The three men were remanded in custody at Lisburn Magistrates? Court by district judge Amanda Henderson.
A detective sergeant said he believed he could connect the accused to the charges, some of which took place between November 2009 and the present time.
Crowds of family and supporters shouted encouragement as the accused, dressed in jeans and casual tops, were led away.
Officers clad in riot gear lined the packed courtroom and police Land Rovers were stationed outside the courthouse in the centre of Lisburn.
The charges follow a police arrest operation at the suspects? homes in Lurgan, Co Armagh, part of a wider investigation into alleged dissident republican activity.
Paul Duffy is from Ailsbury Gardens in the town, Damien Duffy is from Campbell Walk and Shane Duffy is from Kilwilkie Road.
Defence solicitor Joe McVeigh questioned the police officer after the PSNI issued a media statement last night linking the operation to co-operation with the security services and the public prosecution service.
The detective said he had no more information to give on the statement.
Mr McVeigh alleged that police questioned Paul Duffy?s children on video tape, said they had breached their human rights and asked investigators to destroy the tape.
He alleged Shane Duffy?s mother was also asked questions on video. Mr McVeigh said the Nazis had subjected children to similar ?degrading? treatment.
He asked: ?Given that that was not acceptable in the 1940s, do the police now state in public that it is acceptable to videotape children and ask them questions in a manner that is degrading to those children??
The detective promised to raise the matter with more senior officers. The lawyer persisted: ?The Duffy family believe that...in terms of how the searches (of their homes) were conducted and the treatment of family members, that the family is subject to persecution. They say they are being persecuted and that you would not have to stray very far from recent events to find a reason why that persecution would be happening.?
The trio were remanded in custody to reappear at Craigavon Magistrates? Court via video link on 8th June.
PA