Accused arrested as part of investigation in to killing of NI prison officer, IRA trial hears

A man accused of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army has pleaded not guilty to charges arising from investigations into the November 2012 killing of a Northern Irish prison officer. Vincent Banks, aged 47, from Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, is on trial at the Special Criminal Court. The prosecution opened its case by outlining that David Black, a 52-year-old prison officer, was shot dead on the M1 near Lurgan on November 1st, 2012, whilst driving to Maghaberry prison. The court heard that a Toyota Camry used in the incident was later recovered burnt out in a ditch, with forensic evidence linking it to the killing. Prosecution counsel indicated that evidence will show the vehicle was registered to an address in Dublin and was transported to Carrigallen, County Leitrim, before the shooting. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy alongside Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton, continues.