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.

Det Garda Brendan Tighe, of Harcourt Square Garda Station, told state solicitor Gareth Henry he formally arrested Mr Noonan at 5pm yesterday in Cahir, Co Tipperary.

He told Mr Henry that, at the time of the arrest, he believed the accused had committed the offence of membership of an illegal organisation within the State.

Det Garda Tighe said Mr Noonan made no reply when the charge was read over to him.

Det Garda Ronan O’Driscoll told Mr Henry he formally arrested Mr McMahon shortly before 6pm on Saturday in Clonmel.

There was no application for bail. However counsel for both parties, Michael Bowman BL, said it was anticipated such an application would be made at the next hearing of the case.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear in front of the court on Feb 15.