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A Perth man who made social media posts supporting the gunmen who attacked a Jewish community at Bondi Beach in December has pleaded guilty to racism and weapons charges.
Martin Glynn, 39, from Yangebup, is accused of making a post to his Instagram in support of the mass shooting, which was an antisemitic Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack.
Glynn was arrested and remanded in custody after WA Police launched Operation Dalewood in response to the shooting to try and stamp out extremist and racially motivated conduct.
During a search of his property, handwritten notebooks labelled “Ideology, views, ideas and insights”, were discovered, which contained extremist views about Jewish people.
Terrorist organisation flags including the Hezbollah and Hamas flags were also found, along with a flick-knife, six rifles and 4000 rounds of ammunition legally owned by the fly-in, fly-out mine site worker.
Under WA’s tough new gun laws – which can strip an unfit or improper person of their firearm’s licence – the firearms were seized, with the man’s hunting-related gun licence now under review.
Glynn, who has no criminal record, was charged with conduct intended to racially harass, carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon and failing to properly store a firearm, and appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link from prison.
He pleaded guilty to all five charges against him.
WA Police previously alleged Glynn had a Palestinian flag flying outside his house, creating angst among neighbours, and when they looked through his phone, they allegedly discovered images of him attempting to make a smoke grenade bomb.
Glynn argued he collected flags, and owned more than 50.
In relation to his social media posts, he said he was a supporter of the Palestinian people.
“Yes, I’m a doomsday prepper, I have information downloaded, I’ve had the time, I’ve had the money, but I don’t intend to harm anyone, I haven’t followed through with procuring anything,” he told the court during his first appearance in December.
“I keep to myself, my neighbours hardly know me, I’ve never had an issue with the law. I’m not a violent person, I’m quite the opposite.”
Glynn’s actions were reported to police by a member of the public.
In the wake of his arrest, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked WA Police for their swift action.
“I have been briefed on the recent arrest in WA by the AFP Commissioner and the acting WA premier,” he said.
“I thank the work of the WA Police in quickly identifying this individual and acting immediately.
“Federal agencies through the Joint Counter Terrorism Team have offered full support to WAPOL [WA Police].”
WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said any behaviour that is dangerous, threatening or hateful should be reported to authorities.
“We have almost three million sets of eyes out there, everyone can be watching, not just police, but everyone, the entire West Australian community can be watching for this kind of post that talks about threats to our community,” he said.
Glynn will be sentenced in Fremantle Magistrates Court on June 25.
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