Prosecution 'close to political agenda', claims defence

The case against seven men accused of Continuity IRA membership was a "garda driven prosecution" inspired by a political agenda, a defence counsel told the Special Criminal Court today.

Summing up on behalf of Mr Gerard Brommell, Mr Peter Finlay SC said this prosecution has not been brought on behalf of the people but is "perilously close to a political agenda and inspired from time to time by it".

The court has heard evidence from the accused that they were at a meeting of Republican Sinn Fein in Limerick the night they were arrested.

Earlier, in his closing speech, Mr Brendan Grehan SC dismissed the explanation of the accused that they were at a meeting of Republican Sinn Fein.

Counsel told the court this was "Alice in Wonderland stuff".

Commenting on references earlier in the trial to "Dad’s Army", Mr Grehan said this was to suggest that the age of the accused precluded the possibility of membership of the IRA.

Such an organisation needed people to fundraise, to deal with weapons, take care of internal discipline such as punishment beatings and organise safe houses.

All of these were mentioned on the note seized at the meeting, counsel added.

If the court accepted that this document was incriminating, it "throws cold water" on the suggestion this was a political meeting, Mr Grehan said.

The seven men 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 59, 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 McNamara, aged 59, of St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary, Joseph "Tiny" Lynch, aged 62, of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick and Christopher Dunne, aged 28, of Donnellan Buildings, Rosbrien, Limerick.

The trial continues tomorrow.