Courts / Dublin / Report

First recorded conviction in second Special Criminal Court is upheld

Summary

The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Ryan Glennon, a 25-year-old Dublin man, in the first recorded trial at the second Special Criminal Court. Glennon was convicted in 2016 of membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA. The appeal, heard by President Mr Justice George Birmingham with Justices Mahon and Hedigan, was dismissed as the court found the prosecution mounted a particularly powerful case. The original non-jury court, presided over by Mr Justice Eagar, relied on belief evidence from Chief Superintendent Peter Kirwan, who stated he believed Glennon was an IRA member based on confidential information. The court also considered inferences drawn from Glennon's refusal to answer material questions during Garda interviews, including inquiries about his presence in a Courtown, Co Wexford house containing Semtex explosive, rockets, and improvised explosive device materials. Physical evidence linked Glennon to the scene, with his fingerprints found on a handcart holding a water butt used for storage and his DNA detected on gloves in the kitchen. Surveillance testimony further placed him at the premises, a holiday home owned by his parents, where bags were seen being transferred from vehicles. The Court of Appeal rejected all grounds of appeal, confirming the original finding of guilt.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: First recorded conviction in second Special Criminal Court is upheld. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• May 13, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 9, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-06-28 Publication

Why: The case was the first trial at the second Special Criminal Court, which became operational in 2016 because of a two-year delay in cases coming to trial at the original non-jury court. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report