IRA suspect 'failed to reply to garda questions'

A Northern Ireland man arrested at a Co Monaghan farmyard made no reply when questioned by Special Branch detectives about the activities of dissident republicans, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

The court heard that Aidan Grew was asked twelve times during the interview at Monaghan Garda Station if he was a member of an illegal organisation. Detective Garda Marilyn Brosnan said that Grew made no reply to any of the questions put to him during the interview.

She was giving evidence on the thirteenth day of the trial of three men who have pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on November 8, 2002.

They are Cathal Loughran (aged 27), of Friary Road, Clady, Co Armagh, Dominic Dynes (aged 32), of St Matthew's Estate, Keady, Co Armagh and Aidan Grew (aged 47), of Benburb St, Blackwatertown, Co Armagh.

The court has heard that Grew was arrested after he reversed at speed away from a farmyard at Dunaldrin, Co Monaghan where gardaí were carrying out a search.

Detective Garda Brosnan, of the Special Detective Unit, said that she and Detective Sergeant William Hanrahan interviewed Grew at Monaghan Garda Station on November 10, 2002. The interview was videotaped and Grew made no reply to any of the questions put to him.

She said that Grew was questioned about his membership of an illegal organisation and the activities of the organisation. He was also questioned about a stolen blue Isuzu jeep and about his contacts with the other two accused.

Cross examined by Grew's counsel, Ms Deirdre Murphy SC, Detective Garda Brosnan said she was aware that Grew had denied membership during a previous interview with gardaí. She also admitted that Grew was asked on twelve occasions during her interview if he was a member of an illegal organisation even though he had repeatedly denied this on earlier occasions.

Lawyers for the three accused have submitted to the court that the men's detention was unlawful and that anything that followed from their detention should not be admitted in evidence.

The trial is continuing.