Court adds more charges against three IRA suspects

New charges were brought at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today against three Co Louth men who already face charges in connection with dissident terrorist activity in the north east.

Des Ryan (aged 53), of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, Co Louth and Barry O' Brien (aged 38), of Stonetown, Dundalk, Co Louth were each charged with the unlawful possession of a sawn off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges at Ecco Road, Dundalk on August 8, last year.

Paul Maguire (aged 24) of Drumleek South, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan was charged with possession of two shotgun cartridges in Dundalk and possession of a component part for an explosive device at Castleblayney on August 8 last.

Ryan and O' Brien were charged last August with IRA membership and Maguire was also charged then with possession of a shotgun in Dundalk on August 8.

Two other men were also charged last August with IRA membership. They are Eamon Lennon (aged 34),of Iniskeen, Co Monaghan and Neil Smith (aged 37), of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, co Louth.

The court remanded all five men until February 22 next when their cases will be mentioned again.