Dublin man convicted of IRA membership

A Dublin man was convicted of membership of an illegal organisation at the Special Criminal Court today while a Northern Ireland man was cleared of the same offence.

The two men were arrested after a garda investigation into the activities of the Continuity IRA which involved the surveillance of a Mercedes car which travelled from Newry to Dublin.

Colm Maguire (aged 32), a native of Ballyfermot with an address at Oatfield Crescent , Clondalkin, Dublin was found guilty of membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 13, 2003.

Brian Quinn (aged 34), of Parkhead, Newry, Co Down was acquitted of the offence after Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, presiding, said that the court was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty.

The judge said that the court accepted the evidence of Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Kelly that he believed Maguire was a member of an illegal organisation on September 13, 2003.

The court found that the Chief Superintendent’s belief was corroborated by Maguire giving misleading answers to gardaí when questioned about his membership.

Both Maguire and Quinn denied in evidence that they were IRA members.

The court was told during the six-day trial that gardaí stopped a Mercedes car on the Swords road as it travelled northwards.

The court heard that two rifles with telescopic sights, five mobile phones and €2,400 in cash were recovered from the car which was put under garda surveillance as it was driven from Co Louth to Dublin and back towards the North.

The court was told that gardaí observed Maguire meeting the driver of the car in Dublin city centre.