A man from Northern Ireland took part in an attempted armed robbery of a Dublin bookmakers to raise funds for the Continuity IRA, the Special Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Damien Beacom (43), a father of four from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, with addresses at Kilmahuddrick Lawns, Clondalkin, Dublin, and Howth Road, Killester, Dublin, is charged with having a sawn-off shotgun with intent to commit a robbery at Hacketts bookmakers, Bluebell, Dublin, on September 21st last.
Det Insp Diarmuid O'Sullivan said he believed Beacom to be a member of the Continuity IRA, "a paramilitary organisation which does not recognise the institutions of the State and is endeavouring to change the constitutional position of Northern Ireland by force".
"Their man objective is to bring down the Good Friday agreement and he [Beacom] was involved in fund-raising for this objective", he added.
Insp O'Sullivan opposed bail for Beacom, whom he believed was "an active and willing participant" of the Continuity IRA.
He said that the Continuity IRA was not on ceasefire and had never been on ceasefire.
Insp O'Sullivan said that Beacom had taken part in the attempted robbery to raise funds for the Continuity IRA. He had made admissions to gardai after his arrest, admitting his responsibility for the crime.
The court accepted Insp O'Sullivan's evidence and re fused bail.
Beacom was remanded in custody until December 11th next.