Courts / Carlow / Report

Carlow man guilty of IRA membership

Summary

James Smithers, 38, of St Patrick's Park, Tullow, Co. Carlow, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of IRA membership. He had denied membership of the Irish Republican Army on 31 October 2015. Smithers was arrested early that morning in Rathkeale, County Limerick, at an isolated rural location. Two other men were also arrested in a Volkswagen Golf, where Gardaí discovered a sawn‑off shotgun, a can of petrol and matches. The court heard that the three men were engaged in an IRA operation and that Smithers' role was to provide the stolen Volkswagen Golf. Justice Isobel Kennedy, after hearing evidence from Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Kirwan and the application of Sections 2, 18 and 19 of the Offences Against the State Act and the Criminal Justice Act, concluded that the evidence cumulatively indicated Smithers was involved in a criminal endeavour on the date in question. He was remanded in custody until 8 February, when he will be sentenced.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Carlow man guilty of IRA membership. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 31st, 2015 Incident
• February 8th Adjournment
• 2017-01-25 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report