IRA suspect admitted past membership in garda interviews, court hears

A court has heard how a Kildare man who pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation made a number of statements attesting to his membership of the IRA while in garda custody.

In a signed statement John O’Reilly (aged 33) told investigating gardaí: “I was a member of the IRA until February 2009, when I cut all my ties with the organisation and stopped associating with the IRA.”

On trial at the Special Criminal Court, O’Reilly, of Glendale, Leixlip denied membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on June 25, 2009.

Detective Garda Darren Young agreed with Mr Garnet Orange BL, prosecuting, that during an interview on the morning of June 26, 2009, O’Reilly told detectives that he wished to make a statement.

O’Reilly then went on to state that although he had been a member of the IRA until 2009, he made a “conscious decision” to stop associating with the organisation in order to concentrate on the welfare of his family.

Detective Garda Ciaran Regan agreed with Mr Orange that later that afternoon, O’Reilly made a second statement, in which he stated: “I am a member of the IRA, but I am no longer associating with anyone in that organisation”.

On Wednesday, the court was also shown a video of an interview given by O' Reilly to gardaí in which he said: “I was a member of the IRA. I am no longer a member of the IRA. I can't discuss anything else about the organisation because I fear for my safety.”

Yesterday, the court heard that gardaí denied engaging in a “series of improprieties” during O’Reilly’s detention.

Giving further evidence today, Detective Sergeant Ciaran Farrelly denied a suggestion from Mr Anthony Sammon SC, defending, that there had been a complete “volte face” in John O’Reilly’s demeanour from the evening of June 25 to the morning of June 26.

Det Sgt Farrelly also denied “frightening” O’Reilly in to making a statement affirming his membership of the IRA during one of several smoking breaks granted to the accused man during his detention.

The trial continues at the Special Criminal Court in front of Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding.