Judge jails Continuity IRA member for four years

A Limerick man convicted yesterday of membership of the Continuity IRA worked in Templemore garda training college, Dublin Castle and banks throughout Munster, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

Jailing Patrick O'Shea (aged 54) for four years, with the final year suspended, Mr Justice Paul Butler presiding said the court had to take account of the gravity of the offence. The court heard evidence that the Continuity IRA is the "armed and military wing of Republican Sinn Fein" of which Mr O'Shea is also a member.

Patrick O'Shea, a tiler and father of two of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick was one of seven men charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the IRA on December 17th 2001. However, his six co-accused were acquitted on Thursday after the court cast doubt on the validity of garda opinion evidence based "on confidential sources" that all seven were members of the Continuity IRA.

Today, the court heard evidence from Detective Sergeant Dan Haugh, Henry Street Limerick, that the Continuity IRA is the "armed and military wing of Republican Sinn Fein." The organisation was formed in 1987 - a year after Republican Sinn Fein - and was responsible for firearms and explosive offences in the North and attacks on the northern police force, he said.

Detective Sergeant Haugh added that the Continuity IRA believes "the republican movement has been sold out" by the Provisional leadership and it has become "more active" since the Good Friday Agreement.

The men were arrested when a large party of armed gardai raided a house in the Shanabooley Road area of Limerick on 17 December 2001 during which they seized a note which referred to firearms, a person "wanted for knee cap job", "shooting" and "safe house".

Patrick O'Shea accepted responsibility for the note but the court rejected his explanation that he was checking out the criminal background of two prospective members of Republican Sinn Fein as "incredible".

Mr Martin Giblin SC, defending, today asked the court if it was aware that Wayne Waters - whose name appeared on the note - was shot in Limerick recently. This bolstered his client's evidence about the possible criminality of those he was seeking to check out, he said.

Counsel also asked the court to accept that Patrick O'Shea's role in the Continuity IRA was "a minor" one. As a tiler, Mr O'Shea worked on the garda training college in Templemore, Dublin Castle and banks throughout Munster. He has no previous convictions.

Mr Justice Paul Butler said the court must have regard to the gravity of the offence and in particular, the fact that the Continuity IRA "is engaged in violence". Having taken all the factors into account - including Mr O'Shea's age and previous good character - the appropriate sentence is four years, he concluded.

The court suspended the final year on condition that he give an undertaking not to engage in paramilitary activities upon his release, or to associate with persons involved in such activity.

Leave to appeal was refused.

The trial, which began in mid January and concluded on April 10, lasted 48 days making it one of the longest in the history of the non-jury court, with estimated costs to the State of some €3m.

Originally, eight men went on trial but one was freed by the court at the start of the trial.