FIVE MEN were brought before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday charged in connection with an investigation into dissident republican activity in the Louth area.
The men, who were all arrested last Sunday, were remanded in custody to appear again before the three-judge, non-jury court next Tuesday.
Eamon Lennon (34), Inniskeen, Co Monaghan; Barry O’Brien (38), Stonetown, Dundalk, Co Louth; and Neil Smith (37) and Des Ryan (53), both of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, Co Louth were charged with membership of an illegal organisation, namely a group styling itself as the IRA, on August 8th last.
Mr Lennon, Mr O’Brien and Mr Ryan were further charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm at separate locations in Dundalk last Sunday.
A fifth man, Paul Maguire (24), Drumleek South, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was charged with unlawfully having a sawn-off shotgun at Ecco Road in Dundalk on the same date.
The court, with Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne presiding, was told that Barry O’Brien had been hospitalised following his arrest for “pronounced injuries” which required stitches. Mr O’Brien appeared in court with cuts and bruising. Lawyers representing Mr O’Brien said their client “wanted to be clear” that he was alleging he had been assaulted at the time of his arrest.
Lawyers for some of the men indicated that bail applications would be made at a later date.