Courts / Dublin / Report

Dublin man who smuggled IRA communiqué is found guilty of IRA membership

Date
2017-05-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, Dublin, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of membership in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Kenna had denied being a member of the unlawful organisation on 21 November 2015. The court heard testimony from Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan, who believed Kenna was an IRA member on that date. Evidence included a briefing by Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire to the Special Detective Unit (SDU) that Kenna would be in Portlaoise prison engaging in IRA activities. CCTV footage showed Kenna arriving at Portlaoise prison at 10:20 am and leaving with white objects that were later identified as Christmas cards. While being searched in the prison carpark, a small item wrapped in cling film was found in Kenna's pocket. The item was an IRA communiqué containing three cigarette papers with handwritten notes. The message detailed a debriefing of three men who had been arrested after an intercepted IRA operation in Rathkeale, County Limerick.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin man who smuggled IRA communiqué is found guilty of IRA membership. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges at Kyletaun, Rathkeale, County Limerick on October 31st, 2015; membership of the IRA on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 21st, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
November 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
November 21st Incident
October 31st, 2015 Incident
May 29th Adjournment
Christmas Other
2017-05-11 Publication

Case subjects

Brian Kenna

Defendant

Charges: the unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges at Kyletaun, Rathkeale, County Limerick on October 31st, 2015; membership of the IRA on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Kenna was remanded in custody until May 29th, when he will be sentenced.; Kenna was remanded in custody until May 29th, when he will be sentenced.