Limerick man refused bail on Real IRA charge

A married father-of-three from Limerick has been refused bail on a charge of membership of an illegal organisation at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

Ciaran O’Dwyer, aged 48, a printer’s finisher, of Castletroy View, Limerick was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on Monday.

He is one of four men arrested and charged with illegal membership of an unlawful organisation during a garda investigation into the activities of dissident republicans in the Munster area.

He has been remanded in custody at Portlaoise Prison until his trial which is expected to be held in 2005.

The court heard evidence that the accused was arrested at his home after "painstaking surveillance" by a joint operation between Cork and Limerick Garda Divisions.

Detective Inspector Jim Browne of Limerick Division told the court that he believed that "life would be lost" if Mr O’Dwyer was granted bail.

"The Real IRA in Limerick are associating with one of the feuding factions. Mr O’Dwyer is the person in charge of the organisation in Limerick and Munster" Det. Insp. Browne told the court.

"One faction has aligned itself with the Real IRA for financial gain. In return, firearms and explosives are exchanged and being used to attack civilians" he said. Weapons such as hand grenades, AK47 rifles, assault rifles, AK47 bullets are believed to be exchanged and "destined for the feuding factions" he explained.

He said the gardaí have evidence linking O’Dwyer directly to these activities.