Gardai found 'bugging' device in Continuity IRA suspects house

A device capable of detecting garda radio frequencies was discovered during the search of the home of a suspected Continuity IRA member, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

Giving evidence in the trial of seven men who were arrested when a large party of gardai raided a house in Limerick, Sergeant John Delaney said the device found at the home of the accused Des Long was capable of detecting garda two-way radios within a certain range.

The court heard that the device, described as a "bugging detector" was found in a follow-up search of Mr Long's house at Shannon Banks, Limerick, two days after the seven men were arrested in the Shanabooly Road area of Limerick in December 2001.

The witness agreed with the defence that possession of a bugging detector is lawful and does not require a licence.

Earlier in the trial, Chief Superintendent Gerard Kelly gave evidence 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.

The trial continues on Tuesday.