Courts / Limerick / Report
Accused denied being IRA member, trial hears
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, James Smithers, 38, of St Patrick's Park, Tullow, pleaded not guilty to an indictment of membership in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution alleged that Smithers supplied a stolen Volkswagen Golf for an IRA operation in County Limerick. On 30 October 2015, Detective Garda Liam O'Neill, on duty, and two colleagues travelled to County Limerick. They encountered Smithers in the black Golf at Five Cross Roads outside Rathkeale at 1:35 am. O'Neill's colleague, Detective Garda Joe Higgins, later reported finding a sawn‑off shotgun in another stolen car. Smithers had previously been seen driving the Golf to County Limerick. During questioning under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State Act, Smithers gave no comment to inquiries about IRA activities. The court also heard that the detective invoked Sections 18, 19 and 19(a) of the Criminal Justice Act, allowing inferences from Smithers' silence regarding the stolen vehicle and firearm.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Accused denied being IRA member, trial hears. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on October 31st, 2015. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 31st, 2015 Other
- October 30th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-01-18 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on October 31st, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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