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"Secret communiqué" to be delivered to dissident's NI leadership, IRA trial hears

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding a secret communiqué allegedly smuggled out of Portlaoise prison by Brian Kenna. Kenna, who pleaded not guilty to membership of the IRA, was found with the document in his pocket during a search. Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire testified that the message, written on cigarette paper, was a debriefing of three men involved in an intercepted IRA operation, intended for the group's leadership in Northern Ireland. The debriefing concerned Conor Hughes and Darren Fox, who admitted to the unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges in County Limerick, and James Smithers, who was found guilty of IRA membership. Maguire stated the debriefing was conducted by the IRA's commanding officer in Portlaoise prison and referenced three other leading members in Northern Ireland. Kenna was interviewed under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, allowing inferences to be drawn from his silence. He denied travelling to the prison for IRA activities, claiming he visited in his capacity with the Irish Prisoners' Welfare Association to raise welfare concerns. Kenna stated he was unaware of the note, suggesting it may have been hidden among Christmas cards handed to him. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges John O'Hagan and Flann Brennan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Secret communiqué" to be delivered to dissident's NI leadership, IRA trial hears. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation; unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges; membership of the IRA. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• November 21st, 2015 Other
• October 31st, 2015 Incident
• Christmas Other
• 2017-05-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding

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Read the original CNI report