Two Cavan men appeared before the Special Criminal Court this week charged with knowingly rendering assistance to the IRA two years ago.
Desmond Smith (63) and Stephen Hamill (50) were both arrested on Tuesday morning by members of the Special Detective Unit. Mr Smith with an address at Kilnavara Crescent in Co Cavan is charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation, to wit an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann and the IRA between March the 13th and the 19th 2021 within the State.
Mr Hamill, of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, Co Cavan is charged with the same offence on February the 16th and March the13th, 2021. Detective Sergeant John Feeney of the Special Dective Unit Unit, told State Solicitor Michael O'Donovan, that he arrested Mr Hamill on foot of an arrest warrant. Detective Sergeant Ronan Judge told the Court that he arrested Mr Smith in Co Cavan on the morning of the court sitting - also on foot of a warrant. Books of evidence were served on the two men and they were remanded in custody with consent to bail until March 13, when they will next appear before the three-judge court.
Defence counsel Breffni Gordon BL, representing both men, told presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt that he would be applying for legal aid on the next date.
