Belfast man charged with IRA membership

A Belfast man was charged at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin tonight with IRA membership.

Anthony Sloan (aged 56), with an address at Ard na Mara, Dundalk, Co Louth was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on October 31.

Detective Garda Jonathan Hayes gave evidence of arresting Sloan at Blackrock, Co Dublin this afternoon(tues.) . He said that when he arrested Sloan he believed he had committed the offence of membership of an illegal organisation.

Sloan’s counsel Mr Remy Farrell BL said that his client would be denying the charge “in unambiguous terms.” The court remanded Sloan in custody until Friday when a bail application is expected to be made.

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