Two charged with IRA membership and explosives offences at out of hours Special Criminal Court

Two men appeared before an out-of-hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court on 26 June 2015, charged with membership of an unlawful organisation and explosives offences. Paul Dodd, aged 29, of St Matthews Park, Ballymahon, Co Longford, faced charges of IRA membership and possession of component parts of an improvised explosive device, including shotgun cartridges and related materials, discovered at his home on 24 June. He was also charged with possession of approximately 30 assorted shotgun cartridges at the same address. Brendan Hope, aged 49, of Springfield Cottages, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, was charged with IRA membership and possession of an improvised explosive device containing shotgun propellant powder, a 12-gauge cartridge, and other materials, found in Ballymahon on 24 June. Both men were arrested by members of the Special Detective Unit as part of investigations into dissident republican activity. Neither made any reply upon arrest. Both defence representatives indicated they would seek bail applications at a subsequent hearing. The court remanded both men in custody to appear on 1 July.