Pair charged with dissident activity appear in court

Two men arrested during Garda investigations into dissident republican activity were brought before a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

Sean Ryan (aged 28), of Mandeville Lane, Waterford and Samuel Devlin (aged 51), of Mountjoy Square, Dublin were each charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on October 15.

They were each also charged with the unlawful possession of an improvised explosive device at the TOP garage, Butler's Town Roundabout, Cork Road, Waterford on the same date.

Detective Garda David Gantley, Special Detective Unit, gave evidence of arresting Devlin in Waterford yesterday for the purpose of bringing him for charging at the Special Criminal Court.

He said that after he was given the legal caution, Devlin replied: "Definitely not guilty on both charges."

Detective Garda Frank Crowley, SDU, gave evidence of arresting Ryan in Waterford yesterday for the purpose of being charged.

He said that Ryan replied: "No comment", when he was cautioned.

The court remanded both men in custody until Wednesday when bail applications are expected to be made.