Courts / Cork / Report

Cork man charged with IRA membership and explosive possession

Date
2015-12-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

A 52-year-old man from Cork has been charged at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin with membership of an unlawful organisation and possession of an explosive substance. Martin McHale, of Blackwater Grove, Togher, was charged with IRA membership on November 1st, 2013. He was additionally charged with possessing ten sealed bags containing ammonium nitrate and calcium carbonate at Mall Road, Tirkeenan, Monaghan on the same date. Detective Sergeant Gabriel Bell told the three-judge court that Mr McHale was arrested this morning under the Offences Against the State Act. The defendant made no reply when cautioned or when shown the charge sheet. Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Mr McHale in custody pending a bail application hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cork man charged with IRA membership and explosive possession. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on November 1st, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 1st, 2013 Incident
2015-12-15 Publication

Why: He said he explained to Mr McHale the reason for his arrest in ordinary language and cautioned him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Martin McHale

Accused

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on November 1st, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Mr McHale in custody until Thursday, when a bail application is expected to be heard.