Courts / Dublin / Report
IRA accused failed to answer garda questions, trial hears
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two Dublin men, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, both pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution alleged that on 2 August 2017, one accused told another man in Longwood, County Meath that they were the IRA and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. The defence challenged the admissibility of the interviews. Detective Garda Brian Power and Detective Sergeant Carrie O'Connor each interviewed the accused on that date, invoking Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, which allows inferences from a suspect's refusal to answer questions. Both men answered no questions. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, scheduled a ruling on the admissibility issue for the following morning. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: IRA accused failed to answer garda questions, trial hears. 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
- August 2nd Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-04-25 Publication
Why: The defence are objecting to the admissibility of the interviews, so the court heard evidence today in voir dire – or a 'trial within a trial' – in order to make a ruling on the issue. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
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
Accused
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
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- last year at Finglas Garda Station
Topics
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