Brian Kenna convicted of IRA membership

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Brian Kenna was convicted of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court on 11 May 2017.

Kenna had denied membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army or IRA. The charge concerned 21 November 2015.

The trial heard that detectives searched Kenna outside Portlaoise Prison and an item wrapped in clingfilm fell from his pocket. Kenna denied any knowledge of it. The detectives recognised it as an IRA communiqué, written on three cigarette papers adhered together.

Delivering judgment, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the court was satisfied that the document related to IRA activities. He said it was not reasonable to suggest it had come to be in Kenna’s pocket without his knowledge, input or consent, and that carrying it was an active and deliberate act in furtherance of the IRA’s aims.

Kenna was remanded in custody until 29 May 2017, when he was due to be sentenced.