David Murray pleads not guilty to IRA membership

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

David Murray, 56, of Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, Dublin, was on trial at the Special Criminal Court accused of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉíreann, on 25 March 2015. He was pleading not guilty. The proceedings were reported on 31 March 2017.

On 31 March, Detective Garda Paul Mulcahy told prosecuting counsel Gareth Baker BL that he found a Bulmers pint glass containing a small amount of coins and labelled “prisoners’ fund” in a shed converted into a bar at the back of Murray’s house. The court heard that he also found an Irish Republican Prisoners’ Welfare Association poster.

Former detective sergeant Thomas Kerry told the court that he examined a list found in Murray’s bedroom. The court heard that sulphur, potassium nitrate and charcoal on the list were ingredients of black powder, a low-order explosive material. Kerry said other items, including alarm clocks, circuit boards and flash bulbs, were components used in improvised explosive devices.

Sergeant Kieran Regan said he found two black bags of military clothing and T-shirts in another bedroom. The court also heard a surveillance officer’s statement that he saw Murray and Stephen Hendrick leave Power City in Finglas together on 3 September 2014.

The trial was continuing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge John O’Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan. The report said it would resume on Tuesday.