Royal Marine charged with terrorism offenses in UK

On Friday he appeared at a three-minute hearing in Westminster Magistrates Court to face charges, after which he was remanded again to police custody.

It is also alleged that between 1 January 2011 and 24 August 2016 he manufactured explosive substances and constructed explosive devices.

He is accused of engaging in the preparation of terrorism, purchasing chemicals and components to be used in the manufacture of explosives, manufacturing explosives, and storing explosives in England and Northern Ireland.

A separate charge says that on 24 August 2016 Mr Maxwell had a quantity of cannabis in his possession with intent to supply.

Searches in Antrim in Northern Ireland and a woodland in Devon, England are continuing.

Following his arrest on August 24, Maxwell was taken to a West Country police station in Somerset before being transferred to a London police station last Thursday.

Ciaran Maxwell, 30, was arrested last week at an address in Somerset.

Maxwell has been charged with one offence of terrorism, one of possession of cannabis and one of fraud.

All the police forces involved with the investigation thanked those who have been inconvenienced by the searches for their patience.

The PSNI searched at least two houses on the Old Glenarm Road in Larne.

The serving Marine’s arrest was understood to be connected to the discovery of two arms dumps in County Antrim earlier this year.

An armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines were among the cache recovered along with several pipe bombs, magazines and ammunition for an assault rifle.

Explosives and bomb parts were also found in May at Capanagh Forest.