Real IRA suspect granted bail despite previous breach

The man Gardaí believe is a leader of the Real IRA in the greater Dublin region was granted 24 hours bail by the Special Criminal Court today to allow him to attend his daughter's First Communion.

Joseph Clarke was remanded in custody last month after the court heard that he had breached his bail conditions by being seen twice in the company of men convicted of subversive offences..

Clarke (aged 36), of Forestwood Close, Santry Avenue, Dublin was charged in January with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on January 9.

During a bail hearing Detective Superintendent Diarmuid O' Sullivan told the court that he believed Clarke was a leader of the Real IRA in the greater Dublin region.

The court granted Clarke bail in January on his own bond of €1,000 and an independent surety of €40,000 and on conditions that included no contact with any person convicted or charged with subversive offences.

Today, Clarke’s counsel Mr Michael Bowman BL applied for 24 hours bail to allow him to attend his daughter’s First Communion next month.

Prosecution solicitor Mr Denis Butler said there was no objection by the State but he asked for a substantial cash lodgement for the bail period.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, presiding at the three judge court, said that while the court had some concern because of Clarke’s earlier breach of his bail, it would allow bail on condition that €7,500 in cash is lodged at Portlaoise Prison.

The court also ordered Clarke to sign on at Santry Garda Station after leaving the prison and to sign on at the same Garda station before returning to the prison after attending the First Communion.