Courts / Louth / Report

Real IRA leader who plotted explosion during royal visit is found guilty of directing terrorism

Summary

A Real IRA leader, Seamus McGrane, has been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of directing the activities of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army (IRA), between April 19th and May 13th, 2015. He was also convicted of IRA membership between January 18th, 2010, and May 13th, 2015. McGrane, of Little Road, Dromiskin, County Louth, had denied both charges. The court heard that there was 'the clearest evidence of directing an illegal organisation,' including audio recordings from April and May 2015, which showed McGrane issuing instructions to Donal O'Coisdealbha regarding meeting others and providing bomb-making material. The recordings also referred to a 'military operation' of significance and 'the main attack' on May 19th, the date Prince Charles was due to carry out a State visit. Gardai discovered a veritable arsenal of weapons and explosives substances in hides on land adjoining McGrane's house. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge Cormac Dunne, remanded Mr McGrane in custody for sentencing on November 14th next. Michael McKevitt was jailed for 20 years in 2003 for directing terrorism.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Real IRA leader who plotted explosion during royal visit is found guilty of directing terrorism. Charges or matters: directing the activities of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, between the dates of April 19th and May 13th, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• April 19th Hearing Or Sentence
• May 13th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 18th, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 19th Incident
• April 12th, 2010 Incident
• November 14th Adjournment
• 2017-10-31 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report