PSNI welcome the jailing of two dissident republican terrorists who plotted against police officer at their home

​​Damien Duffy, aged 56, from Dungannon and his co-defendant, 31-year-old Shea Reynolds from Lurgan, were convicted of a series of crimes, including attempting to collect information for use in terrorism.

Officers conducting a surveillance operation on suspected members and associates of the New IRA observed Duffy and Reynolds placing a recording device in the Annaghone Road area of Stewartstown in September 2016.

The pair then returned a few days later to remove the camera. Just over a week later, they deployed the camera at the home of a retired officer.

The PSNI said that the pair had intended to capture the retired officer’s movements – “an action in keeping with a prelude to an attack”.

Detective Superintendent Moutray, from the PSNI'S Terrorism Investigation Unit, said the activity was conducted on behalf of the New IRA. He said Duffy has previous terrorist-related convictions from 1993, when he was convicted of the false imprisonment and assault of an off-duty UDR soldier, activity conducted on behalf of the IRA.

Judge Patricia Smyth sentenced Duffy to 12.5 years’ imprisonment, with a further five years to be served on licence - while Reynolds was sentenced to 11.5 years, with another five on licence.

Detective Superintendent Moutray said: “Today’s outcome follows a lengthy inquiry conducted by detectives investigating the deployment of a wildlife camera at locations in Counties Tyrone and Armagh in September 2016. This activity was conducted on behalf of the New IRA, with the sole intention of gathering information which could be used by terrorists to conduct an attack. “Officers, conducting a surveillance operation on suspected members and associates of the New IRA, observed Duffy and Reynolds placing a wildlife camera in the Annaghone Road area of Stewartstown on 4th September, 2016. The pair then returned a few days later to remove the camera. “Chillingly, they then deployed this camera at the driveway of the home address of a retired police officer on 14th September. This was intended to capture the retired officer’s movements – an action in keeping with a prelude to an attack. “Our officers removed the camera for examination, replacing it with a ‘dummy’ camera. Duffy and Reynolds returned to the address several days later in an attempt to recover their camera, unaware it had been replaced. Examination of the camera showed images attributed to both defendants, as well as a forensic link to Reynolds. On 21st September 2016, both men were arrested and subsequently charged to court. “This is not the first time the defendants have come to the attention of police. Duffy has previous terrorist-related convictions from 1993, when he was convicted of the false imprisonment and assault of an off-duty UDR soldier, as well as attempting to elicit information useful to terrorists from the injured party. This activity was conducted on behalf of the IRA. At that time he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. “Reynolds, although never having been convicted of any similar prior offending, is currently awaiting trial for his suspected involvement in terrorist-related activity. Here, as part of Op Arbacia, police carried out an investigation in 2020 into meetings held by suspected members of the New IRA leadership.” Detective Superintendent Moutray continued: “We remain totally committed to investigating and disrupting terrorist activity. Our aim will always be to protect communities and keep people safe from harm, and we will continue, with your support, to tackle those intent on bringing violence to our doorstep. Terrorist organisations offer nothing to communities except fear and control. I’m keen to encourage anyone with information, or indeed concerns, around potential terrorist activity in their community to contact us on 101.”