Derry man pleads not guilty to directing terrorism in city

A 39-year-old Derry man has pleaded not guilty to directing terrorism in the city.

Thomas Ashe Mellon, of Rathmore Road, denied the charge when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court.

He is accused of directing the activities of  the Irish Republican Army between 31 December 2013 and 7 June 2014.

Mellon, along with another Derry man, pleaded guilty to a charge linked to the smuggling of a note to dissident republican prisoners in Magheraberry Prison.

Mellon and 28-year-old William McDonnell, of Culdaff Gardens, are jointly charged with having a handwritten note, in circumstances which gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that the possession was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

The charge relates to a note found durng a search of McDonnell prior to him visiiting dissident republican prisoners at Maghaberry Prison in June last year.

Ashe was remanded in custody while McDonnell was remanded on continuing bail.