Six men of the eight men arrested after a garda swoop on a house in Limerick have refused bail after a garda chief superintendent told the Special Criminal Court that they were "key members" of the Continuity IRA.
Two of the accused, including a vice president of Republican Sinn Féin, were granted bail subject to stringent conditions after giving sworn evidence denying membership of the IRA.
At an extended sitting of the court, Chief Superintendent Gerard Kelly said the men had adopted elaborate anti surveillance techniques to hold a meeting at a house at Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty in Limerick.
He opposed bail for the eight men and said he believed that they will continue to be members of an illegal organisation if granted bail. "They are people who plan and organize and put in place support systems for that organisation," he added.
The eight are: Mr Joseph 'Tiny' Lynch (60) of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballincurra Weston, Limerick; Mr Patrick O'Shea (53) of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick; Mr Desmond (Des) Long (61) of Shannon Banks, Limerick; Mr Robert McNamara (57) of St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary; Mr Christopher Dunne (27) of Donnellan Buildings, Rosbrien, Limerick; Mr Gerard 'Ger' Brommel (42) of Rostura Crescent, Woodview Park, Limerick; Mr Patrick 'Paddy' Kennelly (57) of Crusheen, Co Clare; and Mr Matt Conway (66) of Nicholas Street, Kilkullen, Co Kildare.
They are charged that on Monday, December 17th 2001 within the state, they were members of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann contrary to Section 21 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 as amended by the Criminal Law Act 1976.
Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, presiding, said he was refusing bail under the provisions of Section 2 of the 1997 Bail Act.
However, the judge noted that Mr Des Long and Mr Joseph Lynch denied membership and on this he granted them bail at £12,000 each.
The remaining six men were remanded in custody until January 14th.