Five men have been jailed for four years each today at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin of membership of an illegal organisation, the IRA
Judge Diarmuid O'Donovan
The three-judge non-jury court sentenced Stephen Birney (31) from Conquerhill Road, Clontarf; Patrick Brennan (41), from Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin; Thomas Gilson (24) from Jobstown in Tallaght, Sean O'Donnell (32) from Castle Drive in Sandymount; and John Troy, (25), from Donard Avenue. All had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The men were arrested in October 2002 after gardaí stopped a van in south Co Dublin. A search of the vehicle uncovered CS gas canisters, a stun gun, pick-axe handles and balaclavas.
A follow-up search of a car found posters for a Sinn Féin election campaign, the trial heard. Judge Diarmuid O'Donovan told the court that he was baffled by the men's actions and what they had been planning.
He said: "The mind boggles as to what you were up to in October 2002 but whatever it was, we're quite satisfied that it was up to no good at all and in association with membership of the IRA."
The court was told the three ruling judges had taken into account references and testimonials detailing the five men's work, good behaviour and voluntary deeds.
But the men were told the court would not make any distinctions between them. "We don't think that we should distinguish between any one of you, we think you are all in the same boat," Judge O'Donovan said.
The men were escorted by gardaí from the court to the sound of clapping and cheering from the public gallery.
The last two months of each four-year sentenced was suspended. Judge O'Donovan said time already served in custody by the men had to be taken into account. The court also refused to grant leave to appeal.