A MAN appeared before a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court last night charged with IRA membership and firearms offences.
Stephen Fogarty (32), Corduff Close, Blanchardstown, Dublin, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA.
He is also charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition at Cloncourt, Main Street, Clonee, Co Meath, on the same date.
The charges include the unlawful possession of an Enfield Number 2 Mk 1 revolver and six rounds of .38 Smith and Wesson ammunition.
Det Gda Ronan Judge, of the Special Detective Unit, told State Solicitor Anne Collins that he arrested the accused at 11.42am at Main Street, Blanchardstown.
He told Ms Collins that at the time of the arrest he believed Mr Fogarty had committed the offences for which he was arrested.
Det Gda Judge said that he explained to Mr Fogarty the reason for his arrest and that the accused made no reply.
Presiding judge Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, sitting with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Judge William Hamill, remanded the accused in custody to appear before the non-jury court again on Friday, August 17th, when it is expected that an application for bail will be made.