Accused tells R-IRA trial he was collecting drainage rods

A man accused of membership of the Real IRA in Limerick drove into Co Tipperary to collect drainage rods, he told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

Brian Murphy, aged 35, of Ardshan, Bally, Adare Co Limerick, denies membership of the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army on April 24, 2003.

The court has heard claims that the accused was a member of the Real IRA.

The court has also heard evidence that gardaí who stopped the accused near Cloughnadromin, Limerick on the return journey recovered a rifle from the boot of Mr Murphy's car.

Last week, Shane O'Sullivan, also of Limerick pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of the rifle, a .303 Lee Enfield, and 24 rounds of .303 ammunition was jailed for five years.

In evidence today Brian Murphy told Isobel Kennedy SC defending, that he was never a member of an illegal organisation.

Cross-examined by Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, the accused said his friend Shane O'Sullivan had asked him to give him a lift to collect some drainage rods. He did not say where they were going just "out the road".

As they drove into Tipperary up the side of a GAA clubhouse Mr O'Sullivan said "pull over there" and he got out.

The accused told the court that he remained in the car and when Mr O'Sullivan returned he said "open up".

The accused pressed the boot lever and Shane O'Sullivan slid a package into the boot.

Pressed by counsel the accused said he had "no idea" where they were going. He was travelling at speeds of 70mph and "shot past" the place where Shane O'Sullivan asked him to stop.

He did a U-turn and drove for some 400 or 500 yards on the wrong side of the road to the spot where O'Sullivan had told him to stop.

Counsel then enquired why the accused had not asked Shane O'Sullivan "what kind of a wild goose chase" he being brought on.

He also suggested to the accused that "you're a very uncurious person" when he said he had not looked at the package in the boot.

"I've seen drainage rods before - if you've seen one you've seen them all" Brian Murphy replied.

Counsel then suggested: "you are in fact a member of the IRA".

"No I'm not" the accused replied.

The trial continues tomorrow.