Garda: 'No intimidation' since arrests of INLA suspects

There have been "no cases" of people being intimidated with baseball bats in Waterford city since the arrest of two local men accused of INLA membership, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

Chief Superintendent Patrick Murphy, Waterford garda Station, was speaking at 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, last year.

Chief Supt Murphy told the court that that he believed an INLA cell operating last year in Waterford was engaged in the activities of "developing explosive devices and also intimidating drug-dealers in the area".

He said: "Since the investigation into these activities commenced, no such activities go on."

He added that the "reasonable conclusion" is that the garda operation is proving "valuable".

Under cross-examination by John Phelan SC, counsel for Butler, Chief Supt Murphy said that if someone is a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP), he or she does not automatically come under suspicion of INLA membership but that some IRSP members are "engaged in subversive activity".

Mr Phelan said that the items found during a search of Butler’s house indicated membership of the IRSP but that there was "no evidence whatsoever" for INLA membership.

Previously, the court heard that clothing bearing the insignia 'IRSP Kevin Lynch Cumann' was found at Butler’s address.

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