IRA charge man can attend the big match

A 30-year-old Corkman, charged with membership of the IRA and firearms offences, has had his bail conditions changed so he can attend the All-Ireland hurling final on Sunday.

Anthony Carroll of Curraheen Close, Bishopstown, was arrested along with another man in February in Togher in Cork. He is under a curfew every night between midnight and 7am.

However, the court was told he wanted to travel to Croke Park for the first ever meeting between Cork and Clare in Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final. He requested the curfew be lifted on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Mr Carroll and his co-accused were charged before the non-jury Special Criminal Court with membership of the IRA on Feb 23 last.

They were also charged with the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and ammunition at Deanrock Avenue, Togher, on the same date.

The court fixed bail in March of an independent surety of €20,000 for each man, and their own bond of €100. Other conditions included signing on daily at a Garda station, and surrendering passports.

Mr Carroll returned to the three-judge court in Dublin yesterday to apply to vary his bail conditions.

His barrister, Niamh Ó Donnabháin, told the court Mr Carroll wished to travel to the match and was requesting his curfew be lifted on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley, presiding with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge Ann Ryan, consented to the variation.