INLA planned kidnapping, court hears

The trial at the Special Criminal Court of three men accused of INLA membership has heard that the INLA planned to kidnap a Cork businessman last year.

Neil Myles (aged 54), of no fixed abode, Edward McGarrigle (aged 43), Melmont Gardens, Strabane, Co Tyrone, and John McCrossan (aged 47), Ballycoleman Estate, Strabane, Co Tyrone have all pleaded not guilty to membership the INLA on February 22 last year.

Sgt Alan McGovern told the court that he travelled to Cork on the above date after having received a briefing in relation to the “planned kidnapping of a Cork businessman”.

He said that he was tasked with stopping a Nissan Primera and that he stopped the car on the Old Youghal Rd.

He said that he had received information that two other men had entered a premises at Lover’s Walk, Montenotte, Cork city, “where the kidnapping was planned” to take place.

Those two men - Gareth Dunne (aged 23), of Clonard Rd, Crumlin and Gerard Kelleher (aged 28), Cathedral View Walk, Kevin St, Dublin 8 – have both admitted membership of the INLA on that date.

Sgt McGovern said that one of the accused, Mr Myles, was in the driver’s seat of the Primera. He said that he arrested Mr Myles because he believed he was a member of the INLA.

Earlier, the court heard that Mr McCrossan denied INLA membership during garda interviews.