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A Lurgan man who tried to buy a component for a revolver from an American gun retailer was jailed for terrorist offences today on Monday. Damien Harte was handed a sentence of five years and three months by Mr Justice Fowler, who branded the 51-year old's offending as serious. He will also be the subject of a Terrorism Notification Order for 15 years following his release from jail. Belfast Crown Court heard that four months after his arrest for trying to purchase a mainspring for a revolver, Harte was re-arrested after his home was searched and two documents linked to terrorism were seized. From Wolf Island Terrace, Harte was sentenced for three offences committed in 2017. He admitted attempting to possess an article for use in terrorism, namely part of a revolver/firearm, on February 26, 2017. Harte also admitted two counts of possessing articles for use in terrorism on October 30, 2017 in the forms of a handwritten speech and a handwritten note. Following a PSNI investigation, Harte's home was searched on June 6, 2017 and his iPhone was seized from the living room. Harte gave police the passcode to access the device and after it underwent a forensic examination, information about his internet search history was gained. This internet usage revealed Harte had researched what Mr Justice Fowler described as "a number of significant matters" such as Republican Action Against Drugs and information on explosives and guns. Data on Harte's phone also indicated he browsed the website of an American gun retailer. Whilst on this website, evidence on Harte's phone indicated he had used the shopping cart on the website before moving to the shipping page. This online activity coincided with searches carried out by Harte on an English-based arms company. Following-up enquiries by the PSNI to the US Gun retailer established that an order was placed in the name of a relative of Harte's to purchase a main spring for a Webley revolver. The court heard that after the order was made, a restriction was placed on shipping the items due to the delivery address being outside the US, and the order was subsequently cancelled by the company. Police returned to Harte's home on October 30, 2017 when a further search was conducted. As no-one was home, entry to the property was forced. Harte did return before the search was completed and on this occasion a number of items were seized and Harte was arrested. These items included a document located in the kitchen which had details about firearms and a piece of paper found in the hall which bore a handwritten speech. This speech said: 'To the intended audience, after many months of our surveillance we have stood back and taken stock. 'It is our firm belief that it was time to act and retaliate against those we deemed guilty of facilitating both the PSNI and British military intelligence in the covert information-gathering of Republicans. 'Our intended target was Translink personnel and associated contractors, and with only objective of delivering maximum damage. 'We will continue to take such action against those who facilitate the British apparatus that undermine the Republican movement.' Following his arrest, Harte was interviewed on October 30 and 31, 2017 and gave a 'no comment' response to all questions asked. During today's sentencing, Mr Justice Fowler said he had considered defence submissions which set out Harte's lack of relevant offending and his mental health issues. The submissions also spoke of Harte's engagement in community charity work as well as the unsophisticated nature of his offending. Branding Harte's offending as "serious", the senior judge said: "The fact he was arrested in June 2017 for attempting to obtain the mainspring for a revolver from a gun shop in the US it on it's own disturbing. "However, from his release pending investigation in June 2017, he had within four months or so involved himself in further offending involving the writing of a note concerning the reconfiguration of a flare guns to fire bullets or shotgun cartridges. "He also authored for distribution a concerning speech threatening and aligning himself with Republican terrorist violence." Mr Justice Fowler imposed the sentence of five years and three months and said Harte will serve at least two/thirds in custody before he is considered eligible for release by the Parole Commissioners. After he is released from custody, Harte will spend an additional year on supervised licence. The case concluded when Mr Justice Fowler addressed prison staff and said "take the defendant down please." Harte was then handcuffed and led from the dock and into custody. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
