Belfast weapons cache linked to extreme rightwing terrorism investigation

Police in Belfast say a cache of explosives and other weapons found in the Shankill Road area is linked to an investigation into extreme rightwing terrorism. The discovery matters amid concern about rising racist attacks and the potential for far-right activity to escalate into planned violence.

Police found 17 improvised explosive devices, two detonators and five stun guns during searches on 30 and 31 October. Wesley Thomas Fletcher, 35, was charged with two counts of possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances and one count of possessing a prohibited weapon; he was remanded in custody, with his next hearing set for 30 November. The haul was reported to be the largest of weaponry linked to the far right seized in Northern Ireland.