Courts / Dublin / Report
IRA accused failed to answer interview questions, non-jury court hears
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in a trial concerning alleged IRA membership and assistance. Edward O'Brien, 42, of Finglas, Dublin, is pleading not guilty to membership of an unlawful organization, namely the IRA, on August 8, 2015. The prosecution alleges gardai used surveillance to record interviews regarding failed IRA operations at a house in Castleknock. O'Brien's counsel objected to the admissibility of his interview under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, which permits inferences from a refusal to answer questions. Evidence was heard in a voir dire. Detective Garda Michael Morris testified that O'Brien stated he was not an IRA member but made no comment regarding his movements on August 7 and 8, or involvement in interviewing another man. Four co-accused are also arraigned. Kevin Hannaway, 69, and Eva Shannon, 60, both of Belfast, are pleading not guilty to knowingly rendering assistance to the IRA by assisting in interviews at Riverwood Park on August 7 and 8, 2015. David Nooney, 53, of Ballymun, and Seán Hannaway, 48, of Belfast, are pleading not guilty to IRA membership on August 8, 2015. The trial continues before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, sitting with Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: IRA accused failed to answer interview questions, non-jury court hears. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 8th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 9th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 7th Incident
- 2018-03-21 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Riverwood Park
- at Finglas Garda Station
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request