Date set for IRA membership trial

The trial of a Cork chef, arrested as part of a garda investigation into IRA money laundering and charged with membership of an illegal organisation, was set for March next year, at the Special Criminal Court today.

Don Bullman (aged 31), of Fernwood Crescent, Leghanamore, Wilton, Co Cork, was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on February 16.

The head of the Garda Special Branch, Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Kelly, had told the court that gardai recovered £54,000 (€79,670) in a washing powder box when Bullman was arrested.

Det Chief Supt added: “I suspected that the £54,000 pounds was a money laundering operation on behalf of the IRA.”

The court set the trial date for March 21, 2006, but then heard that Bullman’s son’s confirmation is on the same day, so the trial was set to begin on March 22 instead.

Detective Sergeant Rory Corcoran, of the Special Detective Unit, has told the court he arrested Bullman at 3.20pm on Wednesday, February 16, at Heuston Station in Dublin. He said he suspected Bullman of having committed a scheduled offence, namely, membership of an unlawful organisation.

Det Chief Supt Kelly has told the court that at the time of his arrest, Bullman was seated in a northern registered car with two Northern Ireland men and there was Daz washing powder on the back seat, containing £54,000.

The court has heard that Bullman worked as a chef at a nursing home and works 70 hours a week.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail until the trial date.