Four charged with Real IRA membership

Four men arrested in connection with an alleged Real IRA attempted firebomb attack on a house in Co Cork earlier this week were charged with membership of an illegal organisation at the Special criminal Court in Dublin today.

Alan Hickey, (aged 19), of Ballygibbon, Co Cork and Anthony Crowley, (aged 21), of Stoneview, Blarney, Co Cork were each charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on March 24.

Jonathan O' Rourke, (aged 24), of Willison Park, Blarney, Co Cork and Paul McCarthy, (aged 22), of Assumption Terrace, Station Road, Blarney, Co Cork were each charged with membership of an illegal organisation on March 23.

Detective Sergeant James Cahill, Anglesea St, Cork gave evidence of arresting O' Rourke at Fairways, Little Island, Co Cork at midnight on March 23.

Detective Garda Eoin O' Connell, Mayfield garda station, gave evidence of arresting McCarthy at Fairways, Little Island at midnight on March 23.

Detective Garda Pat Murphy, Anglesea St, gave evidence of arresting Hickey at 12.15am on March 24 at Whitechurch in Cork and Detective Garda Charles O' Mahony, Anglesea St gave evidence of arresting Crowley, also at Whitechurch at 12.15 am on March 24.

The court remanded Hickey, Crowley and O' Rourke in custody until next Friday when a bail application is expected to be made.

McCarthy was freed on independent bail of €10,000, ordered to sign on daily at Gurranabraher garda station, to surrender his passport and not to associate with anyone convicted of a scheduled offence. He was also remanded until next Friday.