Top-ranking garda to testify in IRA trial

One of Ireland’s highest-ranking police officers is to testify that a chef arrested in a money-laundering investigation after the Northern Bank raid was an IRA member at the time.

As the man’s trial opened at the non-jury Special Criminal Court today, it was announced that Assistant Garda Commissioner Ray McAndrew is to testify.

The court also heard that mobile phone records are to be used in evidence against 32-year-old Don Bullman who denies a charge of IRA membership.

Detectives questioned the accused about text messages he sent and received almost two years ago on the day gardai found him with €94,254 stashed in a Daz washing powder box.

He was arrested along with two others at Dublin’s Heuston Station on February 16, 2005, as part of an operation by the Irish police force’s Special Detective Unit.

At the start of his trial, the chef from Fernwood Crescent, Leghanamore, Wilton, Co Cork, replied “not guilty” to the charge of IRA membership.

Prosecution barrister George Birmingham SC told the three-judge panel the accused was arrested with two other men in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) at the rear of the railway station.

He had sent a text message to one of the other men four days previously which read: “Don’t box it today all I have is a backsack.”

There was also a message from that man to the accused which asked: “Get me a rate for 200.”

Mr Bullman denied during garda interviews any knowledge of the Daz washing powder box containing three separately wrapped bundles of around €30,000 each.

Detectives will testify that the defendant was observed outside the railway station with a small blue rucksack, which was later recovered from the SUV containing the washing powder box.

There will also be evidence submitted that Mr Bullman’s fingerprints were on a plastic bag covering the box.

A follow-up search of the accused’s home turned up an investment bond for 50,000 euro (£32,750) in Mr Bullman’s name and a sweet tin with several hundred pounds in cash.

Gardai also recovered a bundle of documents, wrapped up in a ribbon, with the republican slogan “Tiocfaidh Ar La” (Our day will come) written across it.

On the day of this arrest Mr Bullman claimed he was making his way to a Glasgow Celtic football match but had a change of heart and decided to return to Cork.

During a search of the SUV a name tag from a catering conference in Dublin was found which read: Jerry McCabe, Catering Officer, Garda Club.

Mr Birmingham SC remarked this appeared to be a joke of rather dubious taste.

Garda Detective Jerry McCabe was a special branch officer shot dead during a botched IRA raid in Co Limerick in 1996.

The court will hear Mr Bullman could not remember meeting with another named individual at a pub car park in Douglas, Cork, two days before his arrest.

Detectives will testify that this individual was observed under surveillance getting into Mr Bullman’s car and having a conversation with him.

A follow-up search turned up £60,000 (€91,000) at this man’s house.

Prosecution said it will present evidence to counter Mr Bullman’s denials during interrogation that he associated with a number of other people convicted of IRA membership.