Fingerprint experts cross examined in CIRA trial

Fingerprint experts made additional marks on a note seized by gardai during a raid on a suspected Continuity IRA meeting in Limerick, a garda witness told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

The handwritten note, containing references to firearms, "knee cap job" and "a safe house", was analysed by fingerprint experts who made certain additional marks, the court heard.

Detective Sergeant Mulcahy, Henry Street Limerick, was giving evidence on the fifteenth day of the trial of seven men seven men who were arrested when a large party of gardai raided a house in the Shanabooley Road area of Limerick in December 2001.

The witness agreed with defence counsel that additional details made during analysis and were not included on the note at the time it was seized.

Cross examined by Mr Louis O’Brien SC defending the accused Robert McNamara, Detective Sergeant Mulcahy said gardai were informed at a briefing prior to the raid that there was a meeting at the house that night and there was a strong possibility that those present would be armed.

Counsel put it to the witness if he accepted that this information "was false" as no guns were found.

"The information received by my superior officers was correct" he replied. "I also accept we did not find any firearms at that house."

Chief Superintendent Gerard Kelly gave evidence earlier in the trial that in his opinion, each of the seven accused was a member of an unlawful organisation on December 17 2001. The state's case is that the unlawful organisation in question is the Continuity IRA.

Each of the seven accused have pleaded not guilty to a charge that on December 17, 2001, within the State, they were members of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann.

They are Des Long (aged 62), Vice President of Republican Sinn Fein, of Shannon Banks, Limerick, Patrick Kenneally (aged 58), of Crusheen, Co Clare, Patrick O' Shea (aged 54) of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick, Gerard "Ger" Brommell (aged 43), of Rostura Crescent, Woodview Park, Limerick, Robert Mc Namara (aged 59), of St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary, Joseph ''Tiny'' Lynch (aged 61), of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick and Christopher Dunne (aged 28), of Donnellan Buildings, Rosbrien, Limerick.

It is the biggest trial of dissident republicans ever held at the Special Criminal Court.

The trial continues tomorrow.