Man who represented himself convicted of IRA membership

A Dublin man has today been convicted at the Special Criminal Court of IRA membership in 2009.

Barry Fitzpatrick, who represented himself during his trial, had denied membership of an illegal organisation, styling itself on the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on January 4 last year.

The court heard that Fitzpatrick (aged 68) of Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack, was arrested on January 4, 2009, after Gardaí had observed him for several hours driving his car between the Silver Tassie pub and an apartment complex in Loughlinstown, in the company of two men.

He also drove in convoy with another car which was later stopped and searched by members of the Special Detective Unit, who discovered two revolvers and ammunition in the vehicle.

Gardaí intercepted and arrested Fitzpatrick as he tried to gain access to the "Ramparts" apartment block in Loughlinstown, just after 10pm that night.

As they were executing a search warrant, a man emerged carrying a hold-all which was found to contain five revolvers identical to the type discovered during the earlier search of the car.

Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Kirwan, of Security and Intelligence, told the court he believed Fitzpatrick was an IRA member based on confidential information given to him.

Today, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said the court accepted the belief evidence of the Chief Superintendent and said that the court also accepted that this evidence was corroborated by Fitzpatrick's failure to answer material questions during interviews with gardaí.

Fitzpatrick was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on February 9 next.