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Group including "hooded man" appeal convictions over "IRA inquiry"

Summary

Kevin Hannaway, Eva Shannon, Seán Hannaway, David Nooney, and Edward O'Brien have appealed their convictions for roles in an IRA inquiry. The group was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in June 2018 for assisting interrogations of suspected informants at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, on August 7th and 8th, 2015. Kevin Hannaway (71) and Eva Shannon (61) were sentenced to three years and nine months and four years imprisonment respectively for rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation. Seán Hannaway (48) received five years and six months, David Nooney (53) three years and nine months, and Edward O'Brien (42) 16 months for membership of the IRA. Counsel Ronan Munro SC argued that the sole evidence against Kevin Hannaway was an audio recording, challenging its admissibility due to surveillance gaps and alleged breaches of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009. He noted Hannaway's request to leave the courtroom during playback due to trauma from 1971 detention. Counsel Vincent Heneghan SC contended that Eva Shannon's charge regarding an 'unlawful object' was unclear, though President George Birmingham described the charge as clear and unambiguous. The three-day appeal hearing continues and is expected to conclude on Thursday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Group including "hooded man" appeal convictions over "IRA inquiry". Charges or matters: rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation for the furtherance of an unlawful object. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• June 2018 Incident
• August 7th Other
• August 8th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-07-16 Publication

Why: He said it was a very significant and wide ranging power because of the secrecy attached to it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report