The Special Criminal Court is to deliver its judgment on Friday in the case of a Limerick man accused of membership of the IRA.
It was alleged during the trial that the accused, Mr Brian Murphy, was a member of the "Real IRA". Last week, Mr Murphy (35), of Ardshan, Bally, Adare, Co Limerick, was acquitted of the unlawful possession of a rifle and ammunition.
Summing up for the prosecution yesterday, Mr Brendan Grehan SC submitted that the Lee Enfield rifle recovered from the boot of the accused's car was a "soldier's rifle" manufactured for use by the British army.
He submitted that an unlawful organisation such as the IRA required people to "transport weapons from place to place".
Counsel asked the court to consider that Mr Murphy's conduct on April 24th last supported the evidence of Chief Supt Gerry Kelly, Limerick.
The superintendent testified that he believed the accused was a member of the IRA.
Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, defending, pointed to Mr Murphy's evidence denying membership of an unlawful organisation. Counsel submitted that the warning that the accused must account for his movements under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (amendment) Act, 1998, was not "cogent, accurate or concise" as was required by this "particularly draconian" provision.
Mr Murphy has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation on April 24th, 2003.
PO closes after century of service
The post office in Caherdaniel, Co Kerry, near the home of "The Liberator" Daniel O'Connell, is to close today after 100 years serving the community, writes Anne Lucey.
Ms Patricia Murphy, the post mistress for the last 10 years, said it was no longer viable. There will now be a postal agency at the local supermarket selling stamps and dealing with social welfare needs.
For parcels and letters that need to be weighed, people will have to go to Castlecove, three miles away.
There are now hundreds of newly built holiday homes surrounding the village of Caherdaniel but at the same time the population has been steadily declining. A spokesman for An Post said around 300 of "the less busy" post offices have become postal agencies since 2001.
Car ferry planned for Lough Swilly
A new car ferry service is set to begin in May crossing Lough Swilly in Co Donegal between Buncrana and Rathmullan, writes Chris Ashmore.
Donegal county manager Mr Michael McLoone has confirmed the ferry will receive a subsidy of €147,667 and will operate on a pilot basis from May 14th to September 12th.
However, the service can only go ahead if a €275,000 dredging programme at Buncrana harbour is completed on time. The proposed dredging work will also enable the RNLI lifeboat based in Buncrana to use the harbour at any time.
The ferry, which will accommodate 20 vehicles, will be operated by the Lough Foyle Ferry Company which already runs the ferry from Greencastle in Co Donegal to Magilligan in Co Derry.
Restaurants join health campaign
Restaurants on the Dingle peninsula in Co Kerry are to join a Southern Health Board-led promotion to encourage healthy eating amongst diners.
Ashes of Camp, Páidí Ó Sé's of Ventry, Paul's Restaurant, Wild Banks, Lord Baker's in Dingle and Tig Slea Head, Ventry, are among the restaurants who have joined the campaign.
The restaurants are offering Dingle Bay smoked salmon, oysters, chicken and fish dishes. Kerry has the highest heart disease rates in the EU.