Accused told gardaí that IRA membership was 'one-way ticket to death or jail'

A Co Louth man on trial for IRA membership told gardaí in interview that it would be “stupid” of him to get involved in the IRA and that such involvement was “a one-way ticket to death or jail”.

Neil Smith (aged 35), of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, Co Louth, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8, 2010.