IRA accused told armed detectives he was coming from "Mass"

A 44-year-old man from Scotstown, County Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organization styling itself the Irish Republican Army at the Special Criminal Court. The accused, Jim Smyth of Aghalissabeagh, faces an allegation dating to November 25th, 2015. During a voir dire hearing to determine the legality of his arrest, Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire told the court that Mr Smyth was suspected of using his own land and his mother-in-law's property at Knockatallon for IRA activities. Detective Sergeant Gerard O'Doherty described confronting a man on the laneway at approximately 9pm, drawing his firearm and identifying him as Mr Smyth. When asked his whereabouts, the accused stated he had been attending Mass and was present to check on horses. The detective expressed concern about the explanation given the darkness and overgrown conditions. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with two other judges, is expected to rule tomorrow on whether the arrest was lawful. The trial continues.