Man accused of directing the IRA recorded discussing explosives operation prior to Royal visit, court hears

A man from County Louth has pleaded not guilty to directing the activities of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army between April and May 2015. The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard at the opening of the trial that gardaí recorded the accused discussing an explosives operation in the period preceding a State visit. Prosecutors told the court the accused directed that the operation was "not to be an embarrassment" and the target was to be "symbolic and of military significance". The evidence will include audio recordings made at a public house on Dublin's Airport Road and surveillance observations. Gardaí subsequently discovered explosive substances and bomb-making equipment following searches in County Wexford and at properties in County Louth. The accused was arrested in May 2015. The trial, before three judges at the Special Criminal Court, continues this week.