Courts / Dublin / Report
Search warrant evidence admissible in trial of IRA accused, Special Criminal Court rules
Summary
In a 2015 ruling, the Special Criminal Court declared that evidence from a search warrant executed at a Tallaght house could be used in the trial of seven men accused of IRA membership. Judge Tony Hunt confirmed that the warrant was issued and carried out lawfully. Gardaí had found two packages of tightly folded paper wrapped in clingfilm, allegedly communications from prisoners at Portlaoise Prison, on a coffee table in the front room where the accused were gathered. The court held a "voir dire" concerning the warrant and the arrests. Ms Tara Burns SC argued that the prosecution's case was that the men were meeting as IRA members to discuss the communications. Judge Hunt said he would reserve judgment on the arrests' lawfulness until Friday at 11 am. The accused, all pleading not guilty, are Brian Nick Mc Bennett (54), Peter Burns (39), Kevin Braney (39), Michael Barr (33), John Brock (41), Declan Phelan (31) and Desmond Christie (49).
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Search warrant evidence admissible in trial of IRA accused, Special Criminal Court rules. 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
- 2015-06-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 3, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
- Glenshane Crescent
- Tallaght
- Poppintree
- Ballymun
- Glenview Park
- Liam Mellows Road
Topics
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