THREE MEN arrested last weekend during Garda investigations into alleged dissident republican activities in Dublin appeared at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court last night.
Barry Fitzpatrick (66), Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack, Co Dublin, was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on January 4th.
Stephen Verhoeven (22), Brookfield Terrace, Blackrock, Co Dublin, was charged with the unlawful possession of two ME .38 Compact G revolvers and 20 rounds of ammunition.
The ammunition was described as .38 inch ME Gum, at Topaz garage, Tallaght bypass, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on January 4th.
Dean Byrne (22), Coolevin, Ballybrack, Co Dublin was charged with the unlawful possession of five ME .38 Compact G revolvers and 64 rounds of ammunition, described in court as .380 inch ME Gum, at the Ramparts, Laughlinstown, Co Dublin, on January 4th.
Gardaí told the court that the men were arrested yesterday and that, when cautioned, none of them made any reply.
Mr Justice Joseph Matthews, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, remanded the three men in custody until next week when bail applications are expected to be heard.