Man charged over bomb plot

Hannan was detained in Northern Ireland on Monday

Anti-terrorist police investigating a suspected Real IRA bombing campaign have charged a man with plotting to cause an explosion.

John Paul Gerard Hannan, 19, of no fixed address, was charged with conspiring to cause an explosion on or before 14 November 2001.

He is also facing a charge of possessing an explosive substance at Hilltop Farm in West Ardsley, West Yorkshire, on that day.

Detectives further charged him with having a firearm with intent to endanger and possessing a grenade.

Questioned

He is due to appear before Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Hannan was detained in Northern Ireland on Monday afternoon under the Terrorism Act at the request of Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist officers.

He was taken to a police station in central London for questioning.

Four men have already appeared in court charged in connection with three bomb attacks last year - at BBC offices in Wood Lane, White City, on 3 March, in Ealing, west London on 3 August and in Birmingham on 3 November.

All were linked to the dissident Real IRA.

Custody

The four men, James McCormack, Noel Maguire and Aiden and Robert Hulme, appeared at the Old Bailey in May this year charged in connection with the bomb attacks.

McCormack, 33, is accused of causing three explosions and Aiden Hulme, 25, faces a charge of conspiring to cause an explosion.

Maguire, 32, is charged with causing two explosions and conspiring to cause an explosion.

Robert Hulme, 22, is accused of conspiracy to cause an explosion and possessing explosives and firearms.

All four were remanded in custody pending a pre-trial hearing.