Fianna Fáil says it is “inexcusable” that top-level Garda positions are left vacant, and urged the Justice Minister and the Policing Authority to fill them promptly.

The Special Criminal Court has found today that the trial of a Dublin man accused of membership of the IRA can continue despite a challenge to the belief evidence proffered by a Garda Chief Superintendant.

The trial of a Dublin man accused of membership of an illegal organisation has been adjourned after a Garda Chief Superintendant failed to affirm whether he believed the man was a member of the IRA within the State.