Two charged with IRA membership

Two Dublin men arrested as part of a Garda Special Branch investigation into dissident republicans were charged with membership, firearms and explosives offences at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin tonight.

Gareth Kelly (aged 23), of Wheatfield Ave, Clondalkin and Robert Humphreys (aged 44), of Elmdale Crescent, Ballyfermot were remanded in custody until Friday after a brief appearance at the court.

Kelly was charged with the unlawful possession of a .38 inch Colt revolver and six rounds of ammunition at his home yesterday and with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on the same date.

Humphreys was charged with the unlawful possession of explosive substances – one improvised electrical detonator, two coils of electrical wire for detonating commercial explosives and two panel-mounted time delay relays at his home yesterday.

He was also charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on the same date.

Detective Sergeant John Kearney, of the Special Detective Unit, gave evidence of arresting Kelly at his home on Monday on suspicion of membership of an unlawful organisation and on suspicion of possession of firearms.

Detective Sergeant Donal Prenty, of the SDU, gave evidence of arresting Humphreys at his home in Ballyfermot on suspicion of the unlawful possession of explosives and of membership of an unlawful organisation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Kelly of the SDU told the court that he authorised the further detention of the two men for a further period of 24 hours.

He said that in Kelly’s case a firearm had gone for examination and the results were not to hand when he authorised the further detention.

He said that when he authorised the further detention of Humphreys he had been told by Detective Superintendent Diarmuid O’ Sullivan that the results of a technical examination of items found at Humphreys’ home were awaited.

Both men were remanded in custody until Friday when a bail application is expected to be made.