Two men charged over series of arson attacks on 5G masts
Two men in Northern Ireland have been charged in connection with a series of arson attacks on 5G masts between 2023 and 2025, primarily in west Belfast. The 45- and 46-year-old suspects face multiple arson and conspiracy charges linked to infrastructure damage estimated at £4 million. The attacks are believed to be motivated by conspiracy theories linking 5G technology to health risks, despite scientific evidence refuting such claims. Both are scheduled to appear in court on May 25.
- ▪The two men, aged 45 and 46, were charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson in relation to 5G mast attacks in west Belfast.
- ▪The attacks occurred between 2023 and 2025 and caused approximately £4 million in damages.
- ▪Police believe the attacks were driven by conspiracy theories linking 5G masts to health issues like cancer and COVID-19.
- ▪Scientific consensus confirms that 5G radiofrequency radiation is not strong enough to damage DNA or cause disease.
- ▪Previous similar incidents across the UK and Europe have been attributed to misinformation about 5G technology.
Full article excerpt tap to expand
Networks 21 Two men charged over series of arson attacks on 5G masts 21 Pair accused of creating literal flame war as bonkers conspiracy theories grow Connor Jones Tue 28 Apr 2026 // 11:14 UTC Two men face charges over a series of arson attacks on 5G masts spanning two years following a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation. Detectives arrested the men and secured charges on Monday. They are accused of being involved in the attacks which took place between 2023 and 2025, primarily in the west Belfast area. Neither of the accused was named. One of the men, 45, was charged with eight counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson, while the other, 46, faces one charge of the same crime. <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> Both individuals are set to appear before Laganside Magistrates' Court on Monday, May 25. <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D426raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> The PSNI would not reveal the names of the two men and declined to comment on whether these charges were issued in connection with an earlier case involving two males of a similar description. Brothers Michael and Darren Clarke, reported at the time as being 45 and 44 years old respectively, were both charged in September after being tied by police to arson attacks on 5G masts in the west Belfast area. <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44afDEIF1B2uBKsCMxLJ-cNwAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img…
This excerpt is published under fair use for community discussion. Read the full article at The Register.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Register
