Courts / Louth / Report
Evidence against IRA accused "does not exist", defence tell court
Summary
A 44-year-old man from County Louth has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, a charge he denies relates to the Irish Republican Army. Michael Connolly of Dundalk faced trial at the Special Criminal Court, where the prosecution alleged he was observed driving in convoy with another man who was later found in possession of improvised explosive devices. The prosecution's case relied significantly on evidence from a Garda Assistant Commissioner regarding his belief in Mr Connolly's membership status, along with interviews conducted under statutory powers. The defence argued that this evidence lacked independent corroboration and fell short of legal requirements, contending the case should fail. The three-judge court rejected an earlier defence application for a directed acquittal. Judgment is scheduled for delivery on 1 June 2017.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Evidence against IRA accused "does not exist", defence tell court. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 16th, 2014. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 16th, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 1 Other
- 2017-05-25 Publication
Why: Ms Murphy called the assistant commissioner's evidence "cogent" and "strong" because of his significant experience to date and the manner in which he reviewed the evidence in his possession. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 16th, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Grange Drive
Topics
Related court reports
- Worker sacked over punch-up with takeaway driver wins job back
- Legal first sees miscarriage of justice certificate for IRA membership conviction quashed
- Lorry driver who imported €1m in cannabis jailed for five years
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- On-bail home invader who dragged car owner along ground has sentence cut
- Amateur fighter who 'brutally killed' allegedly abusive mother - kicking her to death and stepping on her 'lifeless body' as he left her to die - gets 6.5 years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request