The 51-year-old man who appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin late last night, charged with directing dissident paramilitary activity, is to seek bail.
Mr Michael McKevitt of Blackrock, near Dundalk, Co Louth, was also charged with membership of an illegal organisation, the so-called Real IRA which styles itself Óglaigh na hÉireann, between August 1999 and March 2001.
Mr McKevitt, who was arrested at his home early on Thursday morning, was remanded in custody at the appearance last night and will appear in court on Tuesday where he will make an application for bail.
The charge of directing paramilitary activity, relates to the period between August 1999 and last October.
The two men and a woman who were arrested along with Mr McKevitt were released.
PA