Christmas bail for IRA accused

A 37-year-old man from Caltragh in Sligo has been granted temporary bail over Christmas by the Special Criminal Court pending a verdict in his case. Julian Flohr is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. His trial commenced in November, with judgment expected on 25 January. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Mr Flohr and another man were travelling in a car from which gardaí recovered a mortar round in a backpack. The three-judge court granted him compassionate bail from 24 to 28 December on his own bond of €100 and an independent surety of €1,000. The presiding judge noted Mr Flohr's previous voluntary surrender of bail and emphasised strict compliance with bail conditions.