A Monaghan man who was arrested by detectives investigating the Omagh bombing was charged yesterday in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin with membership of the IRA.
Mr Séamus Daly (32), Kilmurray, Culloville, Castleblayney, is charged that, between April 29th 1998 and November 20th 2000, he was a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, contrary to Section 21 of the Offences Against the State Act.
He is one of five men being sued in a civil action by relatives of the 1998 Omagh bombing, in which 29 people were killed.
Security was tight inside and outside Green Street courthouse as Mr Daly arrived from Carrickmacross Garda station under heavy Garda escort at 12.10 p.m. yesterday.
Garda David Forde, of Carrickmacross, gave evidence of having arrested Mr Daly in Castleblayney at 7.53 p.m. on Tuesday.
During the 10-minute hearing he told the Special Criminal Court that he served Mr Daly with a copy of an arrest warrant issued by the court on Tuesday. Mr Daly "ripped it up", he said.
Asked if he knew the accused man, he replied: "I have known Mr Daly for a number of years." Garda Forde said he told him that he was to be charged on the directions of the DPP with membership of an unlawful organisation after being detained overnight at Carrickmacross Garda station.
Mr Daly was remanded in custody until February 25th, when a bail application will be made. A solicitor for the State said that the State would oppose bail.