Man charged with membership of IRA

A Kildare man was tonight brought before the Special Criminal Court and charged with membership of the IRA.

John O’Reilly (aged 32), of Glendale, Leixlip was charged that, on June 25, 2009 within the State, he was a member of an unlawful organisation to wit an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise IRA, contrary to section 21 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

Detective Garda Ciaran Regan told the court during a special sitting that he arrested the accused at Lucan Garda Station this afternoon and that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the accused be charged with the offence.

Defence counsel, Coleman Fitzgerald BL, applied for legal aid which was granted by Mr Justice Paul Butler who remanded the accused in custody until July 1 when Mr O’Reilly will again be brought before the Special Criminal Court.