Courts / Dublin / Report

Man arrested "smuggling IRA communiqué out of prison", trial hears

Date
2017-04-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, was arrested by Gardaí while allegedly smuggling an IRA communiqué out of Portlaoise prison on 21 November 2015. He pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, namely Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA). Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce, of the Special Detective Unit, informed Kenna that he would be searched under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. During the search, Kenna's jeans pockets yielded a small paper wrapped in cling film, which Boyce identified as an IRA communiqué. Kenna denied knowledge of the paper and laughed. He claimed he was visiting two prisoners, Tony Carroll and Kevin Devlin. The prosecution presented evidence that Kenna was a representative of the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association and that he was an IRA member on the date in question. The defence, led by Siobhan Stack SC, challenged the legality of the stop and search, the arrest, detention and seizure of Kenna's car.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man arrested "smuggling IRA communiqué out of prison", trial hears. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on November 21st, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 21st, 2015 Incident
November 21st Incident
2017-04-25 Publication

Case subjects

Brian Kenna

Defendant

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on November 21st, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: The defence, led by Siobhan Stack SC, is challenging the legality of Mr Kenna's stop and search, as well as his arrest and detention, and the seizure of his car.