Arrests following searches in Newry and Whitecross

TWO people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act following searches in the Whitecross and Newry areas.

The searches on Tuesday were part of a PSNI investigation into sinister threats made to elected representatives in the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.

In reference to the first arrest Detective Chief Inspector Bradley said: “The man, aged 46, was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

“The searches and subsequent arrest forms part of an investigation into reports of threats made to elected representatives in Newry, Mourne and Down.

“The arrested man remains in police custody at time.”

In reference to the second arrest Detective Chief Inspector Bradley said: “The man, aged 36, was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

He also remains in police custody at this time, assisting with enquiries.

The Chief Inspector added, “Officers from both PSNI Serious Crime Branch and Local Policing in Newry, Mourne and Down are continuing to co-ordinate their efforts and work together to fully investigate threats directed towards our elected representatives, hold those responsible to account, and keep our community safe."

The sinister threats made to Newry, Mourne and Down councillors emerged in a video in December.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has previously reported on audio messages being sent to a number of elected members of Sinn Fein, Alliance and the SDLP identifying them as “legitimate targets”.

A failed pipe bomb attack was carried out at the Sinn Fein office in Monaghan Street, Newry in the same month.

A video threat in December 2025 was also made by three armed and masked men in front of an Irish flag, in a video circulating on social media.

One of them read a statement which said the area’s assembly members and councillors were considered targets because of “policies” around immigration.

The video threats purport to come from a previously unheard of group calling itself the “New Republican Movement”.