IRA membership trial to proceed as no recordings at relevant stations

The Special Criminal Court has ruled that the trial of two men for IRA membership can proceed after hearing evidence that there are no recording facilities at Clonmel and Cahir Garda stations where the men were detained after arrest.

The trial of Thomas McMahon, aged 31, and his co-accused Noel Noonan, aged 34, has been adjourned until next week to allow the defence consider employing an expert to physically examine the two stations.

The Limerick men were due to stand trial at the non-jury court on Wednesday, but their trial was adjourned in the wake of the Garda taping revelations after the defence sought confirmation as to whether telephone calls made by their clients with their solicitors prior to interview were recorded.