The Special Criminal Court has reserved judgement in a defence application in the trial of five men accused of IRA membership following their arrest in Bray, Co Wicklow.

A senior Special Branch officer told the Special Criminal Court today that he went to Bray garda station after he was told by one of his officers that he believed five men arrested for theft were members of the Provisional IRA.

Gardaí recovered a CS gas canister, a stun gun, pick-axe handles, balaclavas and a fake garda jacket after five men seen acting suspiciously by an off duty Special Branch officer were arrested in Bray, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin was told today.

The trial of five Dublin men charged with IRA membership was adjourned until next year by the Special Criminal Court today after the court heard that a key prosecution witness in the case was recently involved in a serious car accident.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin today fixed a date in November for the trial of five men arrested after gardai intercepted an alleged IRA operation in Bray, Co Wicklow last year.

Four Dublin men arrested after an off duty Special Branch detective spotted suspicious activity in Bray, Co Wicklow last week were taking part in an IRA operation, the Special Criminal Court was told today.