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Four men charged with IRA membership
Four men arrested during a Garda operation into the alleged activities of dissident republicans in Co Donegal were charged with membership of the IRA at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court tonight.
All four men have addresses in Derry city in Northern Ireland. They are Gary Donnelly (38), Kildrum Gardens, Michael Gallagher (28), Sackville Court, Martin Francis O'Neill (date of birth unknown), Colmcille Court, and Patrick John McDaid (39), Marlborough St.
They were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on Sunday last, March 16th.
Gardai told the court that the men were arrested today and that, when cautioned, Mr Gallagher and Mr McDaid denied IRA membership while Mr Donnelly and Mr O'Neill made no reply.
Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, remanded all four men in custody until next Tuesday, when bail applications are expected to be heard.
When charged, Mr McDaid said: "I spent over three days in custody and said quite clearly I was not a member of an unlawful organisation. This is a clear case of internment through remand," he added.
Ms Justice Dunne replied: "I have to disagree with you MrMcDaid…You will in due course be afforded a trial in relation to the matter."
© 2008 ireland.com
