Courts / Laois / Report

"No-one ever suspects Santa of committing a crime": Christmas cards used as cover to smuggle IRA communique, prosecution submit

Summary

During the Special Criminal Court hearing on 5 May 2017, the prosecution alleged that Brian Kenna, 54, used Christmas cards to smuggle a "secret and sensitive" IRA communiqué out of Portlaoise prison. Prosecutor Ronan Kennedy presented CCTV evidence showing Kenna carrying fifteen Christmas cards and later being stopped in the carpark where a document fell from his right jeans pocket. Kennedy argued the pocket was not accidental and that Kenna was aware of the contents, describing the cards as a perfect cover for a sinister document. Kenna's defence, led by Siobhan Stack, contended that the case hinged on a single document that did not mention him or the Gardaí's interception, and that there was no evidence Kenna had seen it. Judge Tony Hunt remanded Kenna on continuing bail until the verdict next Thursday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "No-one ever suspects Santa of committing a crime": Christmas cards used as cover to smuggle IRA communique, prosecution submit. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 21st, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• Christmas Other
• 2017-05-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report