"Stop and search" of IRA accused was lawful, court rules

Two men accused of membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army have had a significant legal application rejected at the Special Criminal Court. Judges ruled that the stop and search of their vehicle in the Dromahair area of County Leitrim on 14 August 2016 was lawful and valid, along with their subsequent removal to Manorhamilton Garda Station. The defence had challenged the legality of the search on multiple grounds, contending that gardaí gave inconsistent accounts of why the vehicle was stopped and that the prosecution's evidence lacked credibility. The court, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt confirmed, found the evidence of the gardaí who conducted the stop to be consistent and credible. A mortar round was recovered from the vehicle. The trial of the two accused men, both from County Sligo, continues before the three-judge court.