Courts / Dublin / Report

Trial of eight men accused of IRA membership hears of garda swoop on used car lot

Date
2015-02-04

Stage
Trial

Court
Alison O'Riordan The Special Criminal Court

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 4 February 2015, eight men—Kevin Braney, Des Christie, Eamon McNamee, Hubert Duffy, William Jackson, Declan Phelan, John Brock and Darren Murphy—pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation styled the Irish Republican Army. The court heard that on 29 March 2013, members of the Emergency Response Unit entered Crystal Cars, a used‑car lot in Clondalkin, and arrested five men in a portacabin. Garda Detective Sergeant John Kane described the officers' entry, the presence of five men, and the recovery of a lump hammer, balaclavas and cable ties. He said the operation was prompted by confidential information that a man at Crystal Cars was targeted for extortion by the IRA and his life was in danger. Garda Detective Sergeant Gerald Doherty confirmed that he secured the five men, who were identified as Braney, Phelan, Duffy, McNamee and Christie, and that the officers remained until the arrest team arrived.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial of eight men accused of IRA membership hears of garda swoop on used car lot. Charges or matters: membership of an illegal organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on March 29, 2013; membership of an illegal organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army. Procedural stage: trial

When:

March 29, 2013 Other
March 29 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-02-04 Publication

Case subjects

Kevin Braney

Defendant

Charges: membership of an illegal organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army (Alleged Or Contested)

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: membership of an illegal organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on March 29, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty