Donation of €50 to IRA man was charitable, claims accused

An unemployed father-of-four gardaí believe is the head of the IRA in Dublin told gardaí he gave money to another man who was convicted of IRA membership because he was “broke”, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

Joseph Clarke (aged 37), Forestwood Close, Santry Avenue, Dublin, denies membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on January 9th this year.

Det Gda Donal Prenty told prosecuting counsel Mr Garnett Orange BL that during questioning, gardaí asked Mr Clarke why a receipt was found showing he gave €50 to another man who had been convicted of IRA membership.

He said Mr Clarke told gardaí he had known this other man for about eight months but that he did not know anything about the IRA.

He said Mr Clarke explained: “I was just dropping down a few bob because I suspected he was broke.”

Asked how he was able to give that money because he was unemployed, Det Gda Prenty said Mr Clarke replied: “It was only 50 quid.”

He said Mr Clarke denied the reason he gave the money to this man was because he was a member of Mr Clarke’s active service unit in the IRA.

The trial before Mr Justice John McMenamin residing at the three-judge court continues tomorrow.