Courts / Monaghan / Report
Monaghan man convicted of IRA membership
Summary
A 44-year-old man from County Monaghan has been convicted of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army by the Special Criminal Court. Jim Smyth, with an address at Aghalissabeagh, Scotstown, had pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to November 25, 2015. The three-judge court heard evidence that Smyth was using his own land and land belonging to his mother-in-law at Knockatallon for dissident activity. Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan gave evidence of his belief that Smyth was an IRA member on the date in question. Detective Sergeant Gerard O'Doherty testified that he encountered Smyth on the laneway near derelict houses during a search operation and subsequently arrested him. During garda interviews conducted under the Offences Against the State Act, Smyth declined to answer numerous questions regarding specific items discovered after his arrest. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, said the court accepted Chief Superintendent Mangan's evidence and was entitled to draw inferences from Smyth's failure to answer material questions. Smyth was remanded in custody pending sentencing on June 19.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Monaghan man convicted of IRA membership. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organization, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 25, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 25, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2015 Incident
- June 19 Adjournment
- 2017-06-01 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful organization, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 25, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Smyth was remanded in custody until June 19, when he will be sentenced.; Smyth was remanded in custody until June 19, when he will be sentenced.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- meeting in Monaghan garda station
- Monaghan
Topics
Related court reports
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Brave Paddy Power worker helped unmask repeat robber
- 'Monster' Derek Boyd gets life for murder, with sentence for killing sister referred back to circuit court
- Museum employee charged with possessing bomb tells court he wants to reapply for bail 'at earliest chance'
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- Ex-garda seeks allowance for services to Irish-language communities
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request