Limerick men charged with IRA membership

Two Limerick men have appeared before a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court charged with membership of the IRA.

Noel Noonan, aged 34, and Thomas McMahon, aged 31, were arrested on Thursday on the N24 near Cahir, Co Tipperary, by members of the Special Detective Unit and other Garda units as part of an investigation into dissident republicans.

Mr Noonan, of North Claughan Rd, Garryowen, and Mr McMahon, of Ros Fearna, Murroe, were both charged before the non-jury court on Saturday with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on Feb 7.