Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who bought car used in murder of NI prison officer is found guilty of IRA membership

Date
2017-07-31

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Vincent Banks, aged 47, from Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, has been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. The conviction follows his trial regarding the purchase of a Toyota Camry used in the fatal shooting of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black on 1 November 2012. Mr Black was killed in a drive-by shooting on the M1 near Lurgan, County Armagh. The vehicle was subsequently found burnt out in a ditch near Carrigallen, County Leitrim, with firearm cartridges connected to the death recovered from inside. Banks had denied the charge, maintaining he knew nothing of Mr Black or the vehicle. However, the court accepted evidence from Chief Superintendent Gerry Russell regarding Banks' membership and found his conduct surrounding the car's purchase surreptitious. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton, noted that inferences could be drawn from Banks' failure to answer material questions during garda interviews. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 9 October.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who bought car used in murder of NI prison officer is found guilty of IRA membership. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 1st 2012 Incident
December 18th 2012 Incident
October 10th Other
October 31st Incident
December 18th Incident
November 2nd Incident
October 9th Adjournment
2017-07-31 Publication

Case subjects

Vincent Banks

Defendant

Outcome: Banks was remanded in custody until October 9th, when he will be sentenced.; Banks was remanded in custody until October 9th, when he will be sentenced.