The case against seven men accused of Continuity IRA membership was a "garda driven prosecution" inspired by a political agenda, a defence counsel told the Special Criminal Court today.

A Garda Chief Superintendent told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today that people's lives would be at risk if he disclosed the sources of confidential information relating to one of seven men accused of membership of an unlawful organisation, the Continuity IRA.

A detective sergeant today denied that he deliberately gave prejudicial evidence in the trial of seven men accused of membership of an illegal organisation, the Continuity IRA.

The Special Criminal Court will rule tomorrow on an application to halt the trial of seven men accused of membership of an illegal organisation, the Continuity IRA, over what the defence claims is prejudicial evidence.