Men sentenced for INLA membership

Four men arrested during a garda investigation into an alleged INLA plot to kidnap a Cork businessman were jailed for INLA membership by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

There was cheering and applause from the mens' supporters in the public gallery after the sentences were handed down.

John Mc Crossan (aged 47), Ballycoleman Estate, Strabane, Co Tyrone, and Neil Myles (aged 54), a native of Cork of no fixed abode, were each jailed for four and half years for membership of the INLA on February 22 last year.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charge and were convicted earlier this month after a four-week trial.

Gareth Dunne (aged 24), of Clonard Rd, Crumlin and Gerard Kelleher (aged 28), Cathedral View Walk, Kevin St, Dublin 8, were each jailed for four years for membership of the INLA on February 22nd last year. They had admitted the charge earlier this year.

The sentencing of a fifth man, Edward Mc Garrigle (aged 43), of Melmount Gardens, Strabane, Co Tyrone was adjourned until October after the court was told that Mc Garrigle is in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry after suffering a fracture to his leg. Mc Garrigle was convicted of the membership charge earlier this month but was released on bail pending sentence.

Detective Superintendent Diarmuid O' Sullivan, of the Special Detective Unit, told the court that the gardaí had prevented INLA activities, including stealing €1.6m and the intimidation of Cork businessman Denis Maguire.

The court in its judgment said there was "background evidence of a well-organised plot to carry out some criminal enterprise in respect of a businessman and/or his family in Cork."

The intended target of the plot was Mr Denis Maguire, who lived with his family at Lover's Walk, Montenotte, Cork.

The prosecution's case was based on sightings of the accused men meeting on different occasions in Cork and Dublin when they were under surveillance by the gardaí.

The court heard that the five men were seen at meetings held in Dublin and Cork between August 2007 and February 2008. The intended target, Mr Maguire, returned home at 8pm on February 22 in the company of two gardaí.

Dunne and Kelleher were on the premises and they were arrested and searched. The coal-shed was also searched. A black-handled knife, duct tape, cable ties and two other black-handled knives were found. Mc Crossan, Mc Garrigle and Myles were each arrested later that day.

Detective Supt O' Sullivan thanked Mr Maguire for his co-operation with the gardaí and said that Mr Maguire wanted to point out that he does no keep money in his house.

Sentencing the men, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said that the court was only dealing with the offence of membership as the men had not been charged with any other offence.