Man charged with terrorism offenses over suspected dissident Irish Republican Army weapons

Northern Ireland man faces terrorism charges

LONDON — Police in Northern Ireland say a man has been charged with terrorism offenses after police uncovered a suspected dissident Irish Republican Army weapons cache.

Officers said Sunday that the 54-year-old man was arrested Friday in the town of Newry, near the Irish border.

He will appear in court Monday charged with six offenses, including preparation of terrorist acts.

The charges follow a decision by domestic security agency MI5 to raise the threat level of attacks by dissident Irish terrorists.

Home Secretary Theresa May says the level has been raised from “moderate” to “substantial,” the middle rung on a five-point threat scale.

Dissidents have mounted about 30 attacks in Northern Ireland this year, and have threatened to target the British mainland.