Woman and two men sentenced in connection to New IRA

Three people have been sentenced in connection to drug possession and criminality linked to the New IRA.

Ciaran McAuley of Rinnalea Way in Belfast and Brendan Glacken of 40 Milfort Mews in Belfast, both 27 years-old and Caoimhe McAuley, 28, of Binian Drive in Belfast, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday.

All three were sentenced for a number of charges including possession of a class B drug.

Ciaran McAuley was handed a 37 month sentence, half to be served in custody and the other on licence, Glacken was sentenced to 30 months, half in custody and half on licence and Caoimhe McAuley received a 24 month sentence, suspended for two years.

An investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) into drug criminality linked to the new IRA discovered quantities of drugs amounted to £8,000 during searches in west Belfast and Dunmurry.

The police said an “extensive examination of messages on devices attributed to the defendants revealed the involvement in a vast number of exchanges regarding drugs and methods to pay for drugs”.

Information was discovered relating to transporting drugs into Northern Ireland on a “wholesale level” and Ciaran McAuley’s financial accounts revealed he had transacted about £200,000 over an 18-month period relating to the supply of drugs, the force added.