Limerick man charged with IRA membership

A Limerick man was charged with possession of explosives and membership of the IRA at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court this evening.

Kenneth O’Reilly (aged 28), of Killmurray Court, Garryowen, Co Limerick was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oghlaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA at Limerick Rd, Nenagh, Co Tipperary on Saturday last, February 28.

He was also charged with possession of approximately one kilogram of black powder under such circumstances as to give rise to the suspicion that the substance was not in his possession for a lawful purpose.

Det Gda Eileen Keogh told the court that she arrested Mr O’Reilly today in Clondalkin under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

She told the court that it was her belief at the time that Mr O’Reilly had committed the alleged offences.

She said that she cautioned him and that he made no reply.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, remanded Mr O’Reilly in custody until next week, when a bail application is expected to be heard.