Courts / Dublin / Report
IRA man who helped in interrogations over garda leaks is jailed
Summary
Damien Metcalfe (33) was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for membership of an unlawful organisation, the IRA. The non-jury court found him guilty earlier this month after he denied the charge on November 24, 2015. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated that evidence, including audio and video from a Garda surveillance operation at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, indicated Metcalfe played a supporting and logistical role in IRA inquiries regarding leaks to gardai. The judge noted Metcalfe was willing and trusted by the IRA to assist in these inquiries, participating in one interview and transporting individuals to and from the site. Although the offence carries a maximum penalty of eight years, the judge determined a starting point of three years, reduced by six months for mitigating factors such as compliance with bail conditions and lack of adverse attention since the incident. The sentence was backdated to May 6, when Metcalfe entered custody. His younger brother, Conor Metcalfe (28), was separately found guilty of IRA membership by the three-judge court last December and jailed for four years and six months. Metcalfe had 15 previous convictions, including one for arson, but his defense counsel highlighted his lower level of involvement and employment history.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: IRA man who helped in interrogations over garda leaks is jailed. Charges or matters: IRA membership by the non-jury court earlier this month. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 24, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 7 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 6 Incident
- 2019-05-27 Publication
Why: Having regard to the gravity of the offence, the judge said that because Metcalfe was not an active member at the highest level of the organisation, the top range of penalties were not applicable to him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: Conor Metcalfe (28) was also found guilty of IRA membership by the three-judge court last December and jailed for four years and six months. Passing sentence this morning, Mr Justice Hunt said that supporting evidence suggested that Metcalfe was willing as well as trusted by the IRA to assist in their inquiries.
Defendant
Charges: IRA membership by the non-jury court earlier this month (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: His younger brother Conor Metcalfe (28) was also found guilty of IRA membership by the three-judge court last December and jailed for four years and six months. Passing sentence this morning, Mr Justice Hunt said that supporting evidence suggested that Metcalfe was willing as well as trusted by the IRA to assist in their inquiries.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court
- Monastery Park
- Dublin
- Riverwood Park
Topics
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'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request