Courts / Dublin / Report

Dublin man guilty of IRA membership after "interrogations" caught on tape

Summary

Damien Metcalfe, 35, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was found guilty of membership of the IRA by the Special Criminal Court. The defendant had denied membership of the unlawful organisation on November 24, 2015. Presiding Judge Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Martin Nolan and Ann Ryan, accepted the belief evidence of Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard, who stated he believed Metcalfe was an IRA member based on reviewed material. The court noted that while the belief evidence was not the strongest, it was supported by audio and video footage from a Garda surveillance operation at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, in August 2015. The recordings showed Metcalfe visiting the premises on four occasions and participating in an interrogation, which the judge described as demonstrating a close connection to IRA activities. The court also drew inferences from Metcalfe's failure to answer material questions after Section 2 of the Offences Against the State Act was invoked. The judge stated the corroboration was strong and unequivocal, eliminating doubts regarding the belief evidence. In a related matter mentioned during the proceedings, Conor Metcalfe, 28, was found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court last December and jailed for four years and six months. Following today's verdict, Damien Metcalfe was remanded in custody until May 24, when he will be sentenced.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin man guilty of IRA membership after "interrogations" caught on tape. Charges or matters: IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court last December and jailed for four years and six months. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• November 24, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 7 Other
• May 24 Adjournment
• 2019-05-17 Publication

Why: The judge said that Hugh Hartnett SC, defending, had argued that Chief Supt Howard's knowledge concerning his client was not strong because he [Chief Supt Howard] had not held his rank for a very long time. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report