Courts / Dublin / Report

Gardai bugged private house, IRA trial hears

Date
2018-01-18

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard that Gardai, acting on confidential information, used surveillance devices to listen to conversations at a private house in Riverwood Park, Castleknock, Dublin, on 7 and 8 August 2015. Three people were charged with membership of the IRA and two with assisting the IRA. The prosecution, represented by Tara Burns SC, explained that the house had recently been vacated and was being prepared for new tenants. The owner had agreed to let the house be used by his uncle and nephew for the weekend. Gardai observed the five accused at the house over the two‑day period and arrested them on 8 August. Kevin Hannaway (69), Eva Shannon (60) and Seán Hannaway (48) pleaded not guilty to assisting the IRA, while Edward O'Brien (42), David Nooney (53) and Seán Hannaway (48) pleaded not guilty to membership of the IRA.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai bugged private house, IRA trial hears. Charges or matters: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, namely with Sean Hannaway, assisting in interviewing persons involved in IRA organised criminal activities, said interviews being directly or indirectly in the furtherance of an unlawful object, at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15 on August 7th and 8th, 2015; the same offence on the same dates; membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8th, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 7th Incident
August 8th Incident
August 8th, 2015 Other
August 7 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-01-18 Publication

Case subjects

David Nooney

Accused

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8th, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Edward O'Brien

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Eva Shannon

Co Accused

Charges: the same offence on the same dates; membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8th, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Kevin Hannaway

Accused

Charges: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, namely with Sean Hannaway, assisting in interviewing persons involved in IRA organised criminal activities, said interviews being directly or indirectly in the furtherance of an unlawful object, at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15 on August 7th and 8th, 2015; the same offence on the same dates; membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8th, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Seán Hannaway

Accused

Plea: Not guilty