Damien Metcalfe jailed for IRA membership in Dublin

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Damien Metcalfe was jailed for two years and six months for IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt reduced a three-year starting sentence by six months. The sentence was backdated to 6 May 2019, when Metcalfe went into custody. The proceedings were reported on 27 May 2019.

The charge concerned membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on 24 November 2015. Metcalfe had denied the charge. The non-jury court found him guilty earlier in May 2019, with evidence concerning his presence, activities and associations at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, providing support for the membership finding.

Mr Justice Hunt said Metcalfe played a supporting and logistical role in IRA inquiries, bringing people to and from the inquiry and remaining around the house while inquiries were ongoing. He also participated in one interview.

The judge said Metcalfe was not an active member at the organisation’s highest level and that no specific harm had resulted from his activities. Mitigation included compliance with bail conditions and no subsequent adverse attention from gardaí.