Courts / Dublin / Report

NSU members give evidence in secret at non-jury court

Date
2018-11-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 1 November 2018, the court ruled that members of the National Surveillance Unit (NSU) must give evidence in secret and be identified only by initials to protect their safety. The case involved Conor Metcalfe, 28, charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Metcalfe was arraigned but remained silent, and the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The prosecution presented evidence from NSU detectives who had observed Metcalfe rummaging under a stolen white Renault Kangoo van on 3 June 2014, retrieving a key, and driving away. The hearing also covered related surveillance of a blue BMW driven by Kenneth Donohue, a convicted IRA member, and the involvement of other individuals in the van's theft and modification. The trial was scheduled to continue on Monday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: NSU members give evidence in secret at non-jury court. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 24, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 24, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
April 30 Hearing Or Sentence
June 3, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
September 14, 2014 Other
June 4, 2014 Other
June 5, 2014 Incident
April 30, 2014 Incident
June 5 Incident
2018-11-01 Publication

Case subjects

Conor Metcalfe

Accused

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 24, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: The two Dublin men were sentenced to five years in prison for possessing the firearm and ammunition.