Cork man to be sentenced for IRA membership

A 53-year-old Cork man has been remanded in custody pending sentencing following his conviction for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Martin McHale, with an address in Togher, Cork, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court last month after denying the charge. He had claimed to gardaí that he travelled to Monaghan for a social visit and was unaware of approximately 500 kilogrammes of agricultural fertiliser found in a van he was driving. Detective gardaí observed McHale and another man acting suspiciously at a filling station in the Monaghan area, which was under surveillance for dissident activity. Following a search, the fertiliser was discovered in the vehicle. Forensic analysis later identified McHale's DNA and fertiliser traces on a glove found in the van. The court found his account false and misleading. Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn gave evidence that he believed McHale to be an IRA member based on reliable information. McHale will be sentenced on 16 March.