Monaghan man to be sentenced for IRA membership

A 44-year-old man from Aghalissabeagh, Scotstown, County Monaghan, was convicted last month by the Special Criminal Court of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Jim Smyth was found guilty of the offence on 25 November 2015. During the three-judge, non-jury trial, evidence was heard from Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan regarding his belief that Smyth was an IRA member on the date in question. Gardaí from the Special Detective Unit and Crime and Security conducted a search of land at Knockatallon, County Monaghan, which the court heard was being used for IRA activities. Detective Sergeant Gerard O'Doherty told the court that Smyth was considered instrumental in that activity. During interviews under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State Act, Smyth denied IRA membership in response to certain questions but declined to answer others regarding specific items found following his arrest. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, adjourned sentencing to 26 June 2017.