Garda did not see any alleged attempts to "extract" IRA accused through car window

At the Special Criminal Court, a Detective Garda Unit officer gave evidence regarding the arrest of a man accused of IRA membership. Detective Garda Paul Cornish denied that any attempt had been made to extract the accused, Michael Connolly (44), from a vehicle through its window during an operation in Convoy, County Donegal. The detective clarified that the term "extracted" in his statement referred simply to opening the car door. Mr Connolly, of Dundalk, County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 16 December 2014. The prosecution alleges Mr Connolly was observed by gardaí driving in convoy with another man later found in possession of improvised explosive devices. Detective Garda Cornish told the court he had been briefed about suspected IRA activities involving the movement of firearms and explosives. The non-jury trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge John O'Hagan, and Judge Flann Brennan continues.