A 56-YEAR-OLD man from Newry has been given a six and a half year sentence today for firearms and terrorist-related offences.
The sentence was handed down to Bryan Christopher McManus, who had previously pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to six charges four firearms-related and two terrorist-related charges. One of these was a plea of guilty to a terrorist fund-raising charge.
In September 2010, detectives from the Serious Crime Branch uncovered a large quantity of firearms and ammunition from a workshop at the rear of McManus’ home. This was a large scale munitions factory thought to have been manufacturing and modifying component parts for firearms since 2008 on behalf of dissident republican terrorists.
Today Detective Superintendent Glenn Wright, from Serious Crime Branch, said the seizure of these weapons “undoubtedly prevented the commission of serious offences”.
“I commend the courage and professionalism of my colleagues in this investigation,” he said. “Their actions have made Northern Ireland a safer place.”
McManus will be jailed for three years and three months and put on licence for a further three years and three months.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say