INLA accused fled from Cork house, trial hears

A man accused of INLA membership fled from a premises in Cork city when the owner, a local businessman, returned home with gardaí, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

The court also heard that three knives, cable-ties and duct tape found in the coal-shed did not belong to the premises’ owner.

Gerard Kelleher (aged 28), Cathedral View Walk, Kevin St, Dublin 8, Neil Myles (54), of no fixed abode, Edward McGarrigle (aged 43), Melmont Gardens, Strabane, Co Tyrone, and John McCrossan (47), Ballycoleman Estate, Strabane, Co Tyrone have all pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation, styling itself the INLA on February 22 last year, contrary to the Offences Against the State Act.

It is the prosecution’s case that the four men were involved in a plot to commit a crime at the house of a man and his family in Cork city.

Det Sgt Terrence Brennan told the court that he was on duty in Cork city on the day of the alleged offence last year.

He said that he met Denis Maguire – owner of the house at the centre of the allegations - at 8pm and travelled with him to his home at Monteville, Lover’s Walk, Montenotte, Cork city.

Det Sgt Brennan said that he entered the house and saw two men running up a set of metal steps leading from the house’s back door to the street.

The court heard that one of these men was accused man Gerard Kelleher. The other man was Gareth Dunne.

Earlier in the week, Dunne pleaded guilty to INLA membership on February 22 last year and was remanded for sentencing at the end of the trial of the other four men.

Denis Maguire told the court that he had not given anybody permission to enter his house.

He also said that three black-handled knives, duct tape and cable ties that were found in the coal-shed did not belong to him.

Det Gda Thomas Minnock told the court that he was standing outside Mr Maguire’s house when two men came running from it.

He said that he believed the men were members of the INLA and that he challenged and arrested Mr Kelleher.

The trial resumes on Tuesday.