Suspected CIRA member admits membership of Republican SF

One of seven men suspected of membership of the dissident Continuity IRA told gardai that he was a member of Republican Sinn Fein and was not involved in any illegal organisation, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

The court has heard that the seven men were arrested when a large party of gardai raided a house in the Shanabooley Road area of Limerick in December 2001.

Detective Sergeant John Healon agreed with Mr Martin Giblin SC for Patrick O'Shea, that the accused denied during interviews that he belonged to any unlawful organisation.

Det Sergeant Healon said Mr O'Shea told gardai he was attending a meeting of Republican Sinn Fein the night he was arrested.

Det Sergeant Healon told the court that the accused was questioned about a handwritten note seized by gardai during the raid. In particular, the accused was questioned about references in the note to four shotguns to which he made no comment.

Mr Giblin put it to the witness that there was a serious crime problem in Limerick with which the government and political parties were concerned.

"That would be fair to say", Det Sergeant Healon replied.

Counsel then asked the witness would it be fair to say that Republican Sinn Fein, as a political party "could be reasonably expected to have an interest" in the situation, yet this line of inquiry was not pursued by the gardai.

"My Lords, a number of times I asked Mr O'Shea had he an innocent explanation," Det Sergeant Healon replied.

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.