Courts / Dublin / Report

Trial of IRA accused continues hearing evidence in voir dire

Summary

The trial of seven Dublin men accused of IRA membership continues with a voir dire hearing to decide the admissibility of evidence from a search warrant and the arrest of the accused at a house in Tallaght. Gardai found two packages of tightly folded paper wrapped in clingfilm, allegedly communications from prisoners in Portlaoise Prison, on a coffee table in the front room where the men were gathered. Ms Tara Burns SC argued that the prosecution case was that the men were holding a meeting as IRA members to discuss those communications. The accused – Brian Nick Mc Bennett (54), Peter Burns (39), Kevin Braney (39), Michael Barr (33), John Brock (41), Declan Phelan (31) and Desmond Christie (49) – have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation. The charges stem from a search of a house in Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, where Peter Burns lived with his father.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial of IRA accused continues hearing evidence in voir dire. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• July 3, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-06-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

• Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
• 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
• 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
• Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
• Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
• Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash

Read the original CNI report