Dundalk man faces republican charge

A Dundalk man arrested as part of a Garda investigation into the discovery of a large explosives find near the border last month appeared at the Special Criminal Court today charged with membership of an illegal organisation.

Paul Kelly, aged 39, of Cedarwood Park, Dundalk was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise the IRA on June 13.

Detective Sergeant Tom Duffy, Dundalk, gave evidence of arresting Kelly at his home at 7.30am on suspicion of possession of explosives at Tallanstown, Co Louth on June 12.

The Detective Sergeant said that Kelly was taken to Dundalk Garda Station and was later told that he would be brought before the Special Criminal Court for charging.

The court remanded Kelly in custody until July 7 when a bail application is expected to be heard.