Courts / Cavan / Report
Pair admit to assisting the IRA
Summary
Two men from County Cavan have pleaded guilty to assisting the IRA at the Special Criminal Court. Desmond Smith, aged 64, of Kilnavara Crescent, and Stephen Hamill, aged 51, of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, each admitted to knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army in furtherance of an unlawful object. Smith's offence occurred on 18 May 2021, while Hamill's took place on 13 March 2021. Both men were arrested in February last year by members of the Special Detective Unit. The charges arise under section 21a of the Offences against the State Act 1939. Justice Caroline Biggs, presiding, adjourned sentencing to 15 May. Both defendants remain on bail pending their sentencing hearing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair admit to assisting the IRA. Charges or matters: knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object on May 18, 2021 within the State; the same offence on March 13th, 2021. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- May 18, 2021 Incident
- March 13th, 2021 Adjournment
- May 15 Adjournment
- 2024-04-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object on May 18, 2021 within the State; the same offence on March 13th, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, presiding at the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until May 15.
Defendant
Charges: knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object on May 18, 2021 within the State; the same offence on March 13th, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, presiding at the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until May 15.
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