Courts / Ireland / Report

Closing speeches in trial of IRA accused arrested after operation involving gardai and FBI

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing, three men—Jonathan Hawthorn, James Geraghty, and Donal O'Ceallaigh—were charged with membership in the Irish Republican Army. Prosecutor Paul Greene presented evidence that an undercover FBI agent monitored a dark‑web transaction where a user named Meat Cleaver ordered weapons to be disguised as Play Doh and delivered to Geraghty's address. Gardai intercepted the delivery on 14 September 2016, photographing Hawthorn receiving the package and finding fake explosives in his socks. Geraghty claimed his granddaughter found the parcel and that it contained toys, while his defence argued no evidence linked him to the order and that the address was used without his knowledge. Hawthorn's counsel contended he was unaware of the contents and that the prosecution failed to test the Play Doh or socks for fingerprints or DNA. O'Ceallaigh's defence highlighted his denial of IRA membership and lack of evidence against him. The court was set to deliver verdicts on 31 July. Jonathan Hawthorn pleaded not guilty. James Geraghty pleaded not guilty. Donal O'Ceallaigh pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Closing speeches in trial of IRA accused arrested after operation involving gardai and FBI. 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 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 3, 2016 Other
• Tuesday, July 31 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-07-25 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report