Arrest linked to terror probe

The man is thought to have been arrested at Maghaberry prison

A man, suspected of having links to al-Qaeda, is still being questioned by detectives in Northern Ireland investigating terrorist activity in the United Kingdom.

The 25-year-old Algerian man is being questioned about serious crime and possessing material likely to be of use to terrorists.

It is understood he was arrested at Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, County Antrim, on Monday.

Sources say he is an immigration detainee and was being held at Mourne House in the prison for the last six months.

On Tuesday, a judge at Craigavon court granted PSNI officers a further 72 hours to question the man.

What we have proved by this arrest and detention is that we are determined to fight terrorism at every level, not just local terrorism Hugh Orde Chief constable

He has been transferred to Gough Barracks in Armagh after being initially held at Antrim serious crime centre.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde said the man had not had any contact with terrorists in the province.

"He has been in custody for a short period of time - we are looking at serious criminal matters," he said.

"It does show that Northern Ireland is not exempt from the international terrorist dimension and what we have proved by this arrest and detention is that we are determined to fight terrorism at every level, not just local terrorism."

The man's solicitor said his client denied involvement in any terrorist or criminal activity.

It is understood that since the arrest, Special Branch officers from the PSNI have been in contact with the Metropolitan Police, other UK forces and the security services.

Police sources have told the BBC that the arrest followed a surveillance operation involving a number of forces.