Courts / Meath / Report

Witness tells trial that IRA accused threatened him over employer claim

Date
2018-04-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Longwood

County
Meath

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Braney (44) and Ciaran Maguire (30) pleaded not guilty to IRA membership. They told a witness that they would shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. The witness, who was at home in Longwood on 13 July, heard heavy knocking, saw the two men, and was told they were IRA members. They claimed the witness had a claim against his former employer, who allegedly did work for republicans in Portlaoise prison, and urged him to drop the claim, calling it fraudulent. The witness said he was shocked and that he had indeed a claim for hospital bills after a fall on a roof. The court also heard that the men were seen driving from Dublin to Longwood that day. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness tells trial that IRA accused threatened him over employer claim. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 2nd, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 2nd, 2017 Other
July 13th Hearing Or Sentence
2018-04-24 Publication

Why: He said that his employer did not pay his wages and that he put a claim in against him because of hospital bills. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ciaran Maguire

Defendant

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 2nd, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Kevin Braney

Defendant

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 2nd, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty