Courts / Cavan / Report
Two charged before Special Criminal Court with assisting the IRA
Summary
Two men from County Cavan appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 14 February 2023 following their arrest by members of the Special Detective Unit. Desmond Smith, aged 63, of Kilnavara Crescent, Cavan, and Stephen Hamill, aged 50, of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, Cavan, have each been charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, contrary to the Offences against the State Act 1939. Mr Smith faces a single charge relating to the period between 13 and 19 March 2021. Mr Hamill is charged with offences on 16 February and 13 March 2021. Both men were remanded in custody with consent to bail pending their next appearance on 13 March 2023. Books of evidence were served. Their legal representative indicated an application for legal aid would be made at the next sitting.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two charged before Special Criminal Court with assisting the IRA. Charges or matters: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation, to wit an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, whether directly or indirectly, in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object between March 13 and 19 2021, both dates inclusive, within the State; the same offence on February 16 and March 13, 2021. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- March 13 Incident
- February 16 Incident
- March 13, 2021 Incident
- 2023-02-14 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation, to wit an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, whether directly or indirectly, in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object between March 13 and 19 2021, both dates inclusive, within the State; the same offence on February 16 and March 13, 2021 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Books of evidence were served on the two men and they were remanded in custody with consent to bail until March 13, when they will next appear before the three-judge court.
Accused
Charges: knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation, to wit an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, whether directly or indirectly, in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object between March 13 and 19 2021, both dates inclusive, within the State; the same offence on February 16 and March 13, 2021 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Books of evidence were served on the two men and they were remanded in custody with consent to bail until March 13, when they will next appear before the three-judge court.
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