Louth pair accused of firearms possession and IRA membership

The trial of two Louth men on firearms and IRA membership charges has opened at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

Des Ryan (aged 54) and Neil Smith (aged 34), both with addresses at Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8, 2010.