Court date set for man accused of IRA membership

The Special Criminal Court has set May 2 for the trial of one of four men arrested in a garda swoop on dissident republicans in a Co Meath hotel last summer.

Robert Brennan (aged 33) of Sillogue Road, Ballymun, Dublin is charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 29 last.

Liam Campbell (aged 32) of Upper Faughart, Dundalk Co Louth, Declan Carroll (aged 25) of Edemore Crescent Raheny,Dublin and Sean Mulligan (aged 51) of Carnalughoge, Louth Village were further remanded until April 9th when a trial date will be set.

Mr Campbell's lawyers told the court that he is issuing plenary proceedings against his recent conviction under the 1998 Offences Against the State Amendment Act.

All four were arrested when Special Branch detectives investigating the activities of suspected dissident republicans raided a room in the Neptune Beach Hotel, Bettystown on July 29 last.