The trial of four men arrested during a Garda operation into suspected dissident activity in Donegal last March has heard that images of “men in balaclavas, camouflaged jackets and holding an AK47” were found during a search of a Transit van.

Four suspected Real IRA men were arrested following a tip-off that the dissident republican terror group put on a show of strength for TV cameras, a court heard today.

Four Derry men today pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to IRA membership last March.

Four Derry men arrested during a Garda investigation into dissident republicans in Co Donegal have been further remanded in custody as the defence waits for a book of evidence to be produced.

Four Derry men charged with IRA membership were remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court today.

FOUR men were last night charged with membership of the IRA at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin as part of a renewed Garda crackdown on paramilitary activity in Donegal.

Four men charged over alleged dissident republican activity were tonight remanded in custody at Dublin’s special criminal court.