A Garda assistant commissioner gave evidence yesterday in the Special Criminal Court of his belief that a Co Cork chef is a member of the IRA.
Michael McAndrew was giving evidence in the trial of Don Bullman (32), Fernwood Crescent, Leghanamore, Wilton, Co Cork, who has denied membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on February 16th, 2005.
He told prosecution counsel George Birmingham SC that his belief was based independently of other evidence brought before the court, and he claimed privilege in respect of this information to protect sources.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Conor Devally SC, Mr McAndrew said his belief was based on both Garda and non-Garda sources and surveillance information.
Asked by the defence why he delayed taking action against Mr Bullman since he first formed the belief of his IRA membership in 2002, he replied: "For operational reasons there wasn't any decision to arrest him."
He agreed with Mr Devally that members of non-subversive criminal gangs interacted with members of subversive organisations.
He also agreed that IRA sympathisers might lie to gardaí during the course of their investigations but that that does not necessarily make them IRA members.
The trial continues.