Courts / Ireland / Report

Trial delayed after FBI agent fails to find bible to swear on

Summary

During a Special Criminal Court hearing, the trial of three men accused of IRA membership was delayed because an FBI agent could not locate a bible to swear on. The agent, who was to testify via video link from a U.S. federal courthouse, had been told 30 minutes earlier that a bible was required and failed to find one. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy noted that a Christian witness must swear, not merely affirm. The court adjourned for 15 minutes, during which the agent located the holy book. The case involves Jonathan Hawthorn (45), James Geraghty (61), and Donal O'Ceallaigh (33), all pleading not guilty to IRA membership. The FBI agent, who works covertly and uses aliases on the dark web, provided evidence about weapons transactions on AlphaBay, including a grenade, handgun, and ammunition intended for a "Mr Geraghty" at Dolphin House.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial delayed after FBI agent fails to find bible to swear on. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 14, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 14, 2016 Other
• September 3, 2016 Other
• 2018-07-18 Publication

Why: Mr O'Lideadha added: "This bald claim has been made and it shouldn't be allowed in evidence because we can't test it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report