Courts / Cork / Report

Cork man to be sentenced for IRA membership

Date
2017-03-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

A 53-year-old Cork man has been remanded in custody pending sentencing following his conviction for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Martin McHale, with an address in Togher, Cork, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court last month after denying the charge. He had claimed to gardaí that he travelled to Monaghan for a social visit and was unaware of approximately 500 kilogrammes of agricultural fertiliser found in a van he was driving. Detective gardaí observed McHale and another man acting suspiciously at a filling station in the Monaghan area, which was under surveillance for dissident activity. Following a search, the fertiliser was discovered in the vehicle. Forensic analysis later identified McHale's DNA and fertiliser traces on a glove found in the van. The court found his account false and misleading. Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn gave evidence that he believed McHale to be an IRA member based on reliable information. McHale will be sentenced on 16 March.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cork man to be sentenced for IRA membership. Charges or matters: the offence by the three-judge, non-jury court last month. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

November 2nd, 2013 Incident
March 16th Adjournment
2017-03-06 Publication

Case subjects

Martin McHale

Convicted Person

Charges: the offence by the three-judge, non-jury court last month (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton, remanded McHale in custody until March 16th, when he will be sentenced.; Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton, remanded McHale in custody until March 16th, when he will be sentenced.