Arson attacks on nearly 30 5G masts in Belfast has caused £2.7m worth of damage
A campaign of arson attacks on nearly 30 different 5G masts in Belfast has inflicted £2.7m worth of damage, a court heard today.
The confirmed costs were disclosed as bail was refused to one of two brothers accused of targeting some of the installations.
Michael Clarke, 46, of Monagh Road in the city, is charged with three counts of arson in connection with attacks carried out in June 2023 and August 2025.
He also faces a further count of conspiring with 45-year-old Darren Clarke to destroy masts belonging to a number of telecommunications companies.
Michael Clarke was initially detained over incidents at the Park Centre and in the Owenvarragh area of west Belfast.
Police alleged he is linked by DNA evidence and CCTV footage of two men approaching one of the sites, with one of them carrying a sports bag.
Forensic tests on the bag recovered from the scene obtained potential profiles for up to three individuals.
Further charges have now been brought against him over another 5G mast set on fire at Annadale Embankment.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard his DNA was allegedly found on a bottle of white spirits recovered from the scene of the attack.
His brother Darren Clarke, of no fixed abode, faces up to nine counts of arson at various sites last year.
Both defendants are currently on remand awaiting trial on the allegations against them and a further joint charge of conspiring to torch the structure.
An investigating detective confirmed the case related to a wider series of attacks.
“We are not saying police can link these gentlemen to each mast arson, approximately 27 masts have been destroyed or damaged by arson,” he told the court.
“The cost is now confirmed by statements as being £2.7m… of damage caused to numerous companies.”
Opposing Michael Clarke’s application for bail, the detective described the impact of the wider campaign as “extreme”.
“There has been a massive reduction in cell-site capacity across the Belfast area,” he added. “These 5G masts are everywhere. We don’t believe there is any way we can reasonably protect the infrastructure from further attacks.”
Defence barrister Turlough Madden stressed Michael Clarke has only been charged with three of the suspected arsons.
He also disputed the strength of DNA evidence and highlighted there is no CCTV footage linking his client to the attack at Annadale Embankment.
“The defendant denied the allegations and provided statements to police, he is entitled to the presumption of evidence,” Mr Madden submitted.
But denying bail to Michael Clarke, District Judge Anne Marshall cited the risk of further arson attacks on 5G masts.
She stated: “I can’t think of any conditions or exclusion zones I could put on him, given how many of them there are across the country in different locations.”