Man charged with IRA membership

A Northern Ireland man was charged at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin tonight with membership of an illegal organisation and possession of ammunition.

Patrick J (PJ) Blair, (47) a native of Newry, Co Down , with an address at Villas One, Muirhevnamore, Dundalk, Co Louth was remanded in custody until Thursday.

He was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA , otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann on Saturday.

He was also charged with the unlawful possession of 17 rounds of ammunition on the same date.

Detective garda Kieran Reidy told the court that during a search of Blair’s home he found a loaded magazine containing 17 rounds of ammunition in the inside pocket of a jacket he found under the stairs.

The detective garda said he arrested Blair under the Offences Against the State Act on suspicion of being a member of an illegal organisation.

Blair was remanded in custody until Thursday when a bail application is expected to be heard.