Not a 'shred of evidence' against IRA accused, says defence counsel

Defence counsel in the trial of an unemployed father of four gardaí believe is the head of the IRA in Dublin told the Special Criminal Court today there is not a "shred of evidence" against his client.

Mr Diarmaid McGuinness SC was making his closing speech in the trial of Joseph Clarke (agd 37), Forestwood Close, Santry Avenue, Dublin, who denies membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on January 9 this year.