Four Derry men plead not guilty to IRA membership

Four Derry men today pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to IRA membership last March.

The four Derry city men are Gary Donnelly (aged 38), Kildrum Gardens, Michael Gallagher (aged 28), Sackville Court, Martin Francis O'Neill (date of birth unknown), Colmcille Court, and Patrick John McDaid (aged 39), Marlborough St.

They pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oghlaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on March 16.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Patrick Marrinan SC told the court that the trial would last 20 days and would not finish before Christmas. He applied for an adjournment and said that additional evidence had just been served on the accused and in fairness to them it was considered better not to commence tha trial until Thursday.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said that it was very unsatisfactory to have evidence served at a late date. He adjourned the trial until Thursday and remanded all four men in custody until then.