Another man claimed money, IRA membership trial hears
A Garda in the trial of a County Cork chef accused of IRA membership told the Special Criminal Court he knew another man claimed ownership of the Daz box in which €94,000 was found.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr Padraig Dywer BL, Det Sgt Rory Corcoran said one of two men with whom the accused was arrested claimed he owned the money in the Daz box in a separate interview with other gardaí.
Don Bullman (aged 32), of Fernwood Crescent, Leghanamore, Wilton, Co Cork has denied membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on February 16, 2005.
Det Sgt Corcoran said he was made aware of this admission in between his own interviews with Bullman.
He said he rejected the claim because Bullman’s fingerprints were found on the plastic bag in which the box was contained in the accused’s own knapsack.
He admitted Bullman did not have the box before he got in the landcruiser at Heuston station, but said he believed he had gotten into the car to take possession of it.
He also admitted there was no evidence the €94,000 found in the bottom of the Daz box were the proceeds of crime.
Asked whether he knew anything about the positive traits of the accused, such as his involvement in a charity called ‘Child’s Aid,’ he replied: “He was found with €94,000 in the bottom of a Daz box. I don’t believe it has anything to do with Children’s Aid.”
Det Sgt Corcoran also agreed with Mr Dwyer that associating with people convicted of IRA membership is not a crime, but he claimed lying about it is suspicious and said Bullman had done this during interview.
“He was given an opportunity to give an innocent explanation for meeting a member of the IRA but he denied meeting him,” he said.
The trial continues tomorrow.
