Dundalk man goes on trial for IRA membership

A Dundalk man arrested during garda investigations into dissident republican activity went on trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today for IRA membership.

Barry O' Brien (aged 38), of Mountain Court, Dundalk, Co Louth pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on April 6, 2004.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Gerard Clarke SC told the court that the case was the subject of a Supreme Court decision in 2007 following applications by the defence.

He said that the evidence against O' Brien would consist of the belief evidence of a Chief Superintendent that O' Brien was a member of the IRA.

Mr Clarke said that a number of items were found during a search of O' Brien's home at the time of his arrest on April 2004.

He said that during an incident in September 2003 when gardaí stopped a northern registered Mercedes car and recovered two rifles and ammunition they also recovered a number of items on which fingerprints were found including a mobile phone battery, a SIM card holder cover and a list of names. These were found to match O' Brien's fingerprints, counsel added.

Mr Clarke said that the court would hear that O' Brien was interviewed eight times over three days and the court would be asked to draw inferences from his failure to answer material questions.

The trial is continuing.