A Dublin man has gone on trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court accused of membership of the IRA.

Damien Metcalfe, with an address at Monastery Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 24th, 2015.

When asked by the court registrar how he pleaded, Mr Metcalfe refused to answer. Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt asked if the accused had been “struck mute by visitation of God” or if it was an “absence of instruction”.

After speaking with his defence team, ….read more

Patrick Hutch has walked free from the Special Criminal Court after charges against him for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin were dropped by the State.

Mr Hutch (26) of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne (34) at the Regency Hotel in Dublin on February 5th 2016.

The three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court heard that the shooting took place during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel. A man dressed as a woman and another wearing a flat cap, armed with handguns, followed by three people dressed in ….read more

(Pictured: Damhan McFadden. Credit: Collins)

A Sligo man who helped the IRA by transporting an inert training mortar has avoided a jail sentence after he undertook to “stay away” from people who support and are involved in “violent republicanism”.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said father-of-two Damhan McFadden (29) became involved in such unlawful activity by a “misguided and romanticised notion of republican ideals”.

Damhan McFadden (29), of Kilmacowen, Ballysadare in Sligo, pleaded guilty on November 28 to knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann otherwise the IRA by transporting ….read more

A Dublin man found guilty of IRA membership has been jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court for four years and a half years.

Conor Metcalfe (28), with an address at Monastery Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was found guilty in December of membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 24, 2015.

The court had entered a not guilty plea on Metcalfe’s behalf, as he had made no reply when the membership charge was put to him at the start of his trial.

The trial heard evidence that gardai observed Metcalfe ….read more

A Co Kildare man has pleaded guilty to possessing fifteen lethal firearms and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition at a Dublin Business park two years ago.

Declan Brady (52), with an address at The Park, Wolstan Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare was due to stand trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday in relation to the discovery of an arms cache at Unit 52, Block 503, Grants Drive, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin on January 24, 2017.

However, before his trial was due to commence, Brady pleaded guilty to possessing nine revolvers, four semi-automatic pistols, a sub-machine ….read more

The leader of the so-called New IRA in Dublin was today jailed for life for the murder of another dissident republican almost six years ago.

Kevin Braney (44), of Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin 24 was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court last Monday of the “premeditated” murder of Peter Butterly (35).

Mr Butterly, was chased and shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath in view of students waiting for their school bus on the afternoon of March 6, 2013 in what the three-judge court said was not “a spontaneous act”. The father-of-three died from gun shots wounds to his ….read more

Kevin Braney was the leader in Dublin of the so called New IRA – the most dangerous terrorist organisation in Ireland since the Provisional IRA

The New IRA was behind last month’s car bomb in Derry and is regarded by the gardai and the PSNI as the biggest terrorist threat north and south. Security sources said they believe the terrorist group is gearing up for an offensive in the event of a hard Brexit.

It was formed in 2012 by the remnants of the Real IRA, Republican Action Against Drugs, former Provisional IRA activists and criminal elements in Dublin.

Braney’s conviction for the ….read more

A Kilkenny man linked through DNA evidence to a revolver found inside a blood-stained plastic bag at a Dublin business park has been jailed for three years by the Special Criminal Court.

Sean Ruth (29), with an address at Blacktrench, Rathangan, Co Kildare pleaded guilty on January 22 to possession of a .38 Special Calibre “Rossi” revolver and a 9mm calibre round of ammunition at a place unknown within the State between January 1, 2016 and January 24, 2017, both dates inclusive.

These offences are contrary to Section 2 of the Firearms Act, 1925 as amended by Section 27 of the Criminal ….read more

Two men charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in Limerick last year will face trial at the Special Criminal Court.

John O’Donoghue (29) of Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick and Paul Whelan (25) of Dalgaish Park, Moyross, Limerick were arrested last year and charged with possession of a loaded 9mm colt semi-automatic pistol which was located in a car park at Park Road, Corbally on July 30, 2018.

Both men were later charged with possession of the same weapon on the same date with intent to endanger life under the Criminal Justice Act 2006. They also face a ….read more

A Dublin man has been found guilty at the Special Criminal Court of the “premeditated” murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly nearly six years ago.

Mr Butterly (35), was chased and shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath in view of students waiting for their school bus on the afternoon of March 6, 2013 in what the three-judge court said was not “a spontaneous act”. He died from gun shots wounds to his neck and upper back.

Kevin Braney (44), of Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin 24 had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Butterly.

Delivering judgement today at the non-jury court, ….read more