Courts / Limerick / Report
Man who pleaded guilty to IRA membership allowed trip to Lithuania before sentence
Summary
Thomas McMahon, 31, of Limerick, pleaded guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army on 7 February 2013 alongside Noel Noonan, 34. Both were remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 27 June. McMahon, a father of two and former chef, had previously been allowed to travel to Lithuania to attend a family wedding, with the court varying bail conditions in June and October of the previous year and again in January of the current year. On the day of the hearing, his counsel requested a final trip to Lithuania to visit his in‑laws, asking that McMahon's passport be returned and that the sign‑on conditions be removed from 2 May to 16 May. Prosecutor Tara Burns objected, citing Garda concerns that McMahon was a flight risk and that a substantial custodial sentence might be imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who pleaded guilty to IRA membership allowed trip to Lithuania before sentence. 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 February 7, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 7, 2013 Adjournment
- June 27 Adjournment
- May 2 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-05-01 Publication
Why: Detective Inspector John Dollard told Ms Burns that gardai were objecting to McMahon being granted the facility because of the inability of gardai to supervise the bail conditions and because of McMahon's chance in circumstances since the last variations were granted. CNI source report
Case subjects
Co Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on February 7, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The men were due to stand trial, but the case was adjourned in the wake of the garda taping revelations after the defence sought confirmation as to whether telephone calls made by their clients with their solicitors prior to interview were recorded.
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on February 7, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The men were due to stand trial, but the case was adjourned in the wake of the garda taping revelations after the defence sought confirmation as to whether telephone calls made by their clients with their solicitors prior to interview were recorded.
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