IRA accused placed on curfew

A suspected member of the IRA, arrested in the biggest single arrest operation against dissident republicans in recent history, was today placed on curfew for allegedly breaching strict bail conditions.

Applying to revoke bail, the state claimed that Mr Joseph (Tiny) Lynch allegedly breached a bail condition that he should not associate with certain republicans while awaiting trial on a charge of IRA membership.

Defense counsel Mr Brendan Nix SC said the accused was arrested after he watched Ireland play Switzerland on television in a Limerick public house.

Some 150 other patrons were in the pub, among them known republicans.

Counsel said he would contest vigorously any attempt to revoke bail and asked to be allowed to view security video footage from the public house.

Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, remanded the accused on continuing bail but ordered that Mr Lynch observe a curfew from 6pm to 8am each day and sign on daily at Henry Street garda station, Limerick.

Mr Joseph (Tiny) Lynch (60) of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballincurra Weston, Limerick was one of eight people charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann within the State on December 17 last.

The court had heard that the eight were arrested in a raid on a house in Shanabooley Road, Ballinanty, Limerick on December 17 in the biggest single arrest operation against dissident republicans in recent history.

The court adjourned the application for revocation of bail until Monday November 11.