Courts / Dublin / Report

Challenge to anonymity of surveillance garda witnesses

Summary

In a case before the Special Criminal Court, Jonathan Hawthorn, 45, was convicted of membership in the Irish Republican Army for purchasing explosives online. The prosecution relied on FBI surveillance of the dark web, where a user named Meat Cleaver ordered Semtex, a grenade, a handgun and ammunition. Hawthorn was photographed receiving a mock‑delivery of the explosives and was later found with the materials in a sports bag. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in October 2018. Hawthorn has now appealed, arguing that witnesses from the National Surveillance Unit should not be granted anonymity in the non‑jury court. The appeal contends that no legal authority exists for anonymous testimony, and that the accused has a right to know the identity of witnesses. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Challenge to anonymity of surveillance garda witnesses. 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: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• September 14, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 3, 2016 Other
• 2019-12-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report