Gardai Chief Superintendent testifies at Special Court

A Garda Chief Superintendent told the Special Criminal Court today that he believed a Co Louth man arrested at the Neptune Beach Hotel last year was a member of an illegal organisation.

Chief Superintendent Michael Finnegan, who is in charge of the Louth Meath Division , said he believed Sean Mulligan was a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA on July 29 last year.

He said his belief was based on confidential information in his possession. The court was told that Mulligan was one of four men arrested in a room at the Neptune Beach Hotel in Bettystown, Co Meath in July last year.

Sean Mulligan, (aged 52), of Carnalughogue, Louth village pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 29 last year.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Edward Comyn SC said that the evidence in support of the charge against Mulligan included the evidence of Chief Superintendent Finnegan. Mr Comyn said that there would also be evidence arising from a search of Mulligan's house on March 1 last year and from a search of his house after his arrest on July 29 last year.

Counsel said that items were found in the March search which later figure in questions put to the accused by the gardai during questioning. The manner in which Mulligan dealt with the questions would be one of the supporting evidential factors, he added.

He said that items found during the search in July were put to him during questioning by the gardai and the way in which he dealt with those questions would be relevant.

Mr Comyn said that gardai searched a room at the Neptune Beach Hotel as a result of information in their possession and a number of people were arrested.

He said there would be evidence that a meeting was taking place in a room at the hotel on July 29 last year and items found there were relevant to the charge.

The trial is continuing.