Court varies bail conditions so IRA accused can attend hurling final

A 30-year-old Cork man charged with IRA membership and firearms offences has had his bail conditions varied so he can attend the All-Ireland hurling final.

Anthony Carroll of Curraheen Close, Bishopstown was arrested along with another man in February in Togher in Cork.

They were arrested by local detectives as part of an investigation into the activities of dissident republicans.

Mr Carroll and his co-accused were charged before the non-jury Special Criminal Court with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on February 23, 2013.

They were also charged with the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and ammunition at Deanrock Avenue, Togher on the same date.

The court fixed bail in March of an independent surety of €20,000 for each man, and their own bond of €100.

Other conditions included signing on daily at a garda station, surrendering passports, obeying a curfew between midnight and 7am, and not associating with anyone charged or convicted before the Special Criminal Court.

Mr Carroll returned to the three-judge court in Dublin today to apply to vary his bail conditions.

His barrister, Niamh Ó Donnabháin BL, told the court that he wished to travel to the All-Ireland hurling final in Dublin on Sunday and was requesting that his curfew be lifted on Saturday and Sunday nights.

The State consented to the variation.

Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley presiding with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge Ann Ryan made the variation.

It was the first time for both Ms Justice O’Malley of the High Court and District Court Judge Ryan to sit in the Special Criminal Court.