Two men on IRA membership charges in Special Criminal Court

Two Dublin men have appeared before a late sitting of the Special Criminal Court this afternoon charged with firearms and IRA membership offences.

Robert Nolan (aged 44) of Elmdale Park, Ballyfermot and Dermot Gannon (aged 45) are both charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on January 11, 2012.

Gannon, of Wellview Crescent, Mulhuddart, is also charged with the unlawful possession of a Webley revolver at Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacura Weston, Limerick on the same date.

Garda Denise Moriarty told State solicitor Mr Michael O’Donovan that she met Dermot Gannon at Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick this afternoon and arrested him shortly after 1pm.

She said she explained to Gannon, who appeared in court wearing a grey jacket and Dublin GAA jersey, in ordinary language the reason for his arrest and that he indicated he understood.

Gda Moriarty said that when she handed the charge sheet to Gannon and cautioned him in the precincts of the court this afternoon, he replied “that’s cool”.

Garda John O’Connell told Mr O’Donovan that he met and arrested Robert Nolan at Roxborough Road, Limerick shortly before 1pm this afternoon.

He said that at the time of the arrest he held a reasonable belief that Nolan, who appeared before the non-jury court dressed in a brown jacket and jeans, was a member of an illegal organisation within the State.

Gda O’Connell said that he explained to Nolan in ordinary language the reason for his arrest and that he made no reply when cautioned.

Neither of the two men applied for bail today, however lawyers representing both parties indicated that the issue would be addressed at a later date.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge Alison Lindsay and Judge Cormac Dunne, remanded the two men in custody to appear in front of the non-jury court on Friday next.