The Five Demands

Ventunenne influenzato dal film The Shooter, viene arrestato per la fabbricazione di ordigni esplosivi

Patrick Malachy Gordon, 21 anni e residente in Newtownhamilton Road ad Armagh, è stato arrestato a seguito del rinvenimento di video ‘cancellati’ dal proprio iPhone sulla fabbricazione di bombe ed armi da fuoco improvvisate.
Ad inchiodarlo anche il ritrovamento sotto al letto, di una lista scritta a mano di componenti per la fabbricazione di ordigni.
La Newry Magistrates Court ha deciso per la detenzione in custodia cautelare in attesa di comparire davanti alla corte in videoconferenza, il 9 marzo prossimo.
Un investigatore ha dichiarato ai magistrati che l’imputato avrebbe affermato di essere rimasto vittima del fascino di un film d’azione intitolato ‘The Shooter‘, interpretato da Mark Wahlberg.
Il ritrovamento delle tre ‘prove’, risalenti tutti a periodi differenti, dimostrerebbe la tendenza del giovane a reiterare il reato, nonostante la difesa abbia sostenuto che la visione di determinati siti e video è riconducibile a “curiosità e voyeurismo” senza alcun intento doloso.
“Non c’era alcuna prova di bombe o che Gordon sia un membro di un’organizzazione illegale”, ha detto l’avvocato.
“Era immaturo e ha guardato i siti mosso da curiosità e noia. Non è un fantasista, non è qualcuno che va nel retro del proprio giardino o nel garage per fare queste da solo o con altri individui.
“Il signor Gordon ha ammesso pienamente di aver visionato i video sull’iPhone e che le annotazioni si trovavano sotto il suo letto,” ha aggiunto la difesa.
“Sarebbe molto più grave se fossero stati trovate con i nomi e gli indirizzi di persone dei servizi di sicurezza, ma non lo è stato.”
Il giudice distrettuale Rosie Watters ha motivato il rifiuto del rilascio su cauzione con l’interesse ‘molto forte’ dimostrato da Gordon nei confronti del materiale ritrovato, considerato di estremo interesse per i terroristi.

Movie blamed for bomb fascination (BBC News Northern Ireland)
A man charged with having bomb-making information was curious after watching an action film, a court has heard.
Patrick Malachy Gordon, 21, of Newtownhamilton Road, Armagh, was charged with possessing documents likely to be of use to terrorists.
Newry Magistrates Court heard police retrieved two deleted files from his iPhone on how to make a bomb and a diagram of an improvised firearm.
He was remanded in custody to appear again via videolink next month.
During a police search of his home, a handwritten list of ingredients for a bomb was found under his bed.
A detective constable told the court Mr Gordon blamed his apparent fascination on an action film starring actor Mark Wahlberg.
“His explanation was that he watched a film called The Shooter about making a bomb and that’s why he got the information,” he said.
However, when quizzed further, Mr Gordon would not elaborate, the officer said.
“There were three documents leading to three separate charges. All happened at different times and police believe it shows a propensity to commit these offences again,” the detective constable said.
A defence solicitor said Mr Gordon was looking at the sites out of “curiosity and voyeurism” and there was no malicious intent.
‘Immature’
“There was no evidence of any bomb making or that Mr Gordon is a member of an illegal organisation,” the solicitor said.
“He was immature and looking at the sites out of curiosity and boredom. He’s not a fantasist, not someone who goes into their back garden or garage to make these things himself or with other individuals.
“Mr Gordon accepts fully that he looked at the items on the iPhone and that the note was under his bed,” the defence said.
“It would be a lot more serious if he was found with the names and addresses of people in the security services but he was not.”
Mr Gordon’s father and fiancée, who were at the court hearing, have been left “devastated” by the charges, the defence said.
Refusing bail, district judge Rosie Watters said Mr Gordon had showed a “very keen interest” in the material.
“I have to look at the context of someone having that information and what they would use it for,” she said.
Mr Gordon was remanded in custody to appear by videolink to Armagh Magistrates Court on March 9.