Bail granted to IRA charge man

A former soldier who has been charged with membership of an illegal organisation has been freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court today.

30-year old Richard Whyte from Richardstown, Kildangan, Co Kildare was charged last Tuesday with being a member of an illegal organistion styling itself the IRA or Oglaigh na hEireann.

Garda Detective Inspector Diarmuid O’Sullivan opposed bail because he believed Mr Whyte would commit crimes if released.

He said gardai found combat-style equipment when they searched the defendant’s house.

In evidence, Whyte denied being a member of the IRA and said the equipment was in his house “for nostalgic reasons” from his days with the Irish Army where he served for 8 years before being given an honourable discharge in 1998 following an accident.