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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Coleraine Magistrates Court.
A Derry man who is charged with terrorism offences linked to a major data breach by the PSNI is expected to go on trial early in 2025.
Christopher Paul O'Kane (51), of Iniscarn Road, appeared before a preliminary enquiry at Limavady Magistrates Court, held in Coleraine courthouse, this morning (Wednesday).
Appearing in the dock, O'Kane refused to stand while the charges were read to him.
The accused sat for the duration of the short hearing and only spoke to confirm he understood the charges against him.
O'Kane is charged between August 7 2023 and August 19 2023 with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, namely researched VPN services and how to browse the internet anonymously, registered with online services to locate named individuals and locations, created an account on an encrypted file sharing service, created an account with an ecrypted mail service with a recovery email address, sent details of serving police officers and employees of the PSNI contained on a spreadsheet to an encrypted email account and accessed a website providing advice and training in the use of Microsoft Excel sheets.
He is further accused of possession of two mobile phones, an encrypted USB and a laptop for use in terrorism and possession of documents and records useful to terrorism.
Both charges are alleged to have been committed between August 7 2023 and August 19 2023.
O'Kane is also charged with viewing YouTube videos relating to improvised explosive devices and their detonation between August 1 2023 and August 19 2023.
O'Kane declined to give evidence or call witnesses during the preliminary enquiry and District Judge Peter King said a prima facie case could be established based on the papers before the court.
O'Kane was released on continuing bail to return for arraignment at Antrim Crown Court on a date to be fixed.
The court was told that the case would then be transferred to Laganside Court in the New Year.
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