Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda chief superintendent gives belief evidence at IRA trial

Date
2017-07-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard belief evidence from Garda Chief Superintendent Gerard Russell that Vincent Banks, a 47‑year‑old Dublin man, was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Russell told counsel Paul Greene SC that he believed Banks was an IRA member on the date in question, citing material he had viewed and his experience with the Special Detective Unit. Banks, who lives in Smithfield Gate Apartments, Dublin 7, pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation on 18 December 2012. Padraig Dwyer SC for Banks suggested the belief was false. The court had earlier ruled that interviews conducted with Banks under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State Act were admissible, despite Banks' denial of IRA membership and his claim never to have seen the registration certificate for the car alleged to have been used in the fatal shooting of prison officer David Black on 1 November 2012.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda chief superintendent gives belief evidence at IRA trial. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on December 18th 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 1st 2012 Incident
December 18th 2012 Incident
2017-07-24 Publication

Why: He told the court he was claiming privilege in relation to all material he viewed in order to form the opinion. CNI source report

Case subjects

Vincent Banks

Defendant

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on December 18th 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty