Man joined INLA 'to protect himself'

A Waterford man said during garda interviews that he joined the INLA to "protect himself" from anti-social behaviour, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

It was the fourth day of the trial of James Butler (aged 55), Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Co Waterford and John O’Donoghue (aged 27), Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Co Waterford, who both deny membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish National Liberation Army, otherwise the INLA on June 18, this year.

Prosecuting counsel Garnet Orange BL was reading from the transcript of one of a series of interviews that took place last June at Tramore Garda Station between gardaí and one of the accused, James Butler.

Mr Orange told the court that, during the interview on June 19, Butler said that he joined the INLA in Waterford in September 2006 because he had recently moved into a new house, that the house was broken into and that he was having problems with anti-social behaviour.

"Being in the organisation gave me protection in the mind," Butler said at the interview.

The court also heard that Butler said he knew the INLA was an unlawful organisation and that he wished he could "turn back the clock nine months" and not be in the organisation.

The trial before Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the three-judge court, continues tomorrow.