Courts / Meath / Report
Verdict expected next month in IRA trial
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two men, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution alleged that on 13 July 2017 the accused travelled from Dublin to Longwood, County Meath, where Braney threatened a man, saying they were the IRA and that if he did not drop a claim against a former employer they would shoot him. The prosecution relied on Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire's opinion that the men were IRA members, CCTV evidence, and testimony from the National Surveillance Unit. Defence counsel argued that the chief superintendent's opinion was unsubstantiated, that there was no reliable evidence of the threat, and that the likelihood of two men threatening a victim in a built‑up area was low. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, announced that a verdict would be delivered on 30 May.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Verdict expected next month in IRA trial. 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: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- August 2nd, 2017 Other
- July 13th Hearing Or Sentence
- May 30th Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-04-27 Publication
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
Topics
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