Lawyer claims accused not in lawful custody

A man arrested in Dundalk and charged at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday is not lawfully …

A man arrested in Dundalk and charged at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday is not lawfully in custody, his lawyer said.

However, the court remanded him in custody until Thursday next.

Mr Barry O'Brien (31), Mountain Court, Dundalk, Co Louth, was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation namely the IRA, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army within the State on April 6th contrary to the Offences Against the State Act.

At yesterday's specially convened sitting, the court heard Mr O'Brien was arrested at his Dundalk home on Tuesday evening and detained at Balbriggan Garda station. His detention was extended and on Thursday night he was released and rearrested in the car-park of the Garda station.

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Mr James McGuill, solicitor for Mr O'Brien, submitted his client was not in lawful custody.

Judge Joseph Matthews remanded Mr O'Brien in custody and adjourned the matter until Thursday when a bail application will be made.

Catholic workmen threatened, says SF

Catholic workmen have been forced out of a housing estate in Northern Ireland following threats from loyalist paramilitaries, it was claimed yesterday.

Contractors carrying out repairs in the Glebe area of Ballymoney, Co Antrim, refused to go back on site after warnings from the Ulster Defence Association, Sinn Féin said.

Mr Philip McGuigan, the republican party's North Antrim Assembly member, claimed terrorists who planted a hoax bomb on the estate last week had now intensified their intimidation campaign.

He said: "This is quite obviously sectarian in motive and the work of the UDA."

Even though a number of Protestant workers are employed by the contractor, who did not want to be named, Mr McGuigan said the threat extended to them also.

Hurling legend to be honoured

GAA patron Archbishop Dermot Clifford will unveil a memorial to legendary hurler Tom Semple in Thurles, Co Tipperary, tomorrow.

The famous stadium in Thurles is named after Semple, who is buried in St Mary's churchyard in the town, which is also the resting place of Lady Elizabeth Poyntz, an ancestor of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, will also attend the unveiling.

Boy (12) recovers after shed fire

A 12-year-old boy who was rescued by a Limerick taxi-driver from a burning shed is still recovering from injuries suffered in the blaze.

Christopher Keane, Janesboro, Limerick suffered burns to his face, arms and legs in a fire at his home last Monday.

The boy was rescued by Mr Liam Joyce who happened to be driving past at the time.

It's understood the fire started after some petrol stored in a shed caught fire.