Courts / Dublin / Report

Man acquitted of IRA membership in garda surveillance trial

Date
2014-02-11

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 11 February 2014, Corey Mulhall, aged 43, was acquitted of membership in the Irish Republican Army. Mulhall had admitted taking photographs of Garda officers at the Harcourt Square complex in September 2012, using the false name "Jason Egan" to book a hotel room. He claimed money was offered by a named man to photograph a tall guard, and that he lied to Garda investigators about meeting a "bird" whose name he did not know. Garda Chief Superintendent Kevin Donohoe testified that, based on confidential information, Mulhall was a member of the IRA on 26 September 2012. The judge, Justice Paul Butler, found that Donohoe's belief alone was insufficient without independent corroboration. Mulhall's false answers and failure to answer material questions were noted, but the court concluded there was reasonable doubt about his membership, and he was acquitted. Mulhall had pleaded not guilty to the charge of membership of an unlawful organisation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man acquitted of IRA membership in garda surveillance trial. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 26, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

September 2012 Incident
September 26, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
September 26 Incident
May 2013 Incident
2014-02-11 Publication

Why: He said he used a false name because he did not want his wife to find out. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 26, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty