Ex-Army corporal denies IRA membership
A former Army Corporal who served 26 years in the Defence Forces today denied membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the IRA at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
“I have never been sworn in to an illegal organisation, ever” Mr Kelly told his defence counsel Mr Peter Finlay SC. “I have no political views whatsoever, I couldn’t give a damn” he told the court.
The accused, Martin Kelly, aged 47, of Westpark, Artane, Dublin, was giving evidence during his trial for membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on July 29, 2002.
The court heard that Mr Kelly joined the Defence Forces at the age of 19 years, qualified as a carpenter, became a corporal in the Engineering section and served six tours of duty in the Lebanon.
He spent 22 years working along the border with Northern Ireland and was trained in firearms, bomb disposal and explosives.
Mr Kelly told the court how he was first introduced to Mr William Clare by his younger brother. Mr Clare, aged 35, of Adare Park, Coolock, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA last year.
Mr Clare had denied the charge at first but dramatically changed his plea after a witness broke down and admitted he had been intimidated by Mr Clare.
He didn’t realise Mr Clare was involved in any illegal organisation until he spoke to a Special Detective Unit friend of his who told him “to be careful” with Mr Clare.
“If I had known Mr Clare had any dealings with the IRA I wouldn’t have had anything to do with the chap,” he said.
He admitted to Mr Finlay that “quite a lot” of former republicans who agreed with the Good Friday Agreement have turned to the security business in Dublin: “It is quite prominent” he said.
He denied there was any discussion of money at a meeting at a pub in Temple Bar with lap-dancing bar manager Mr David Mooney, the bar owner Mr Gerard Cosgrove, Mr Patrick Byrne, Director of Protocol Contract Services, Mr Clare and himself.
“Money was never discussed, never. I have no knowledge of that. Not until I was charged did I find out that money had changed hands behind my back” he said.
Earlier in the trial key witness, Mr David Mooney, told the court that Mr Clare demanded €50,000 for the Continuity IRA to allow his lap dancing club ‘Bunnies’ to open in Temple Bar.
Mr Mooney, who is in the Witness Protection programme, also said that he handed over a total of €15,000 to Clare and Kelly before leaving the lap dancing club, "Bunnies'', and entering the Witness Protection Programme.
When questioned about Mr Mooney’s mention of this in court, Mr Kelly replied that “I think that was Mr Mooney’s imagination. David Mooney told us there was a threat from Christy Kelly, I rang Mr Kelly and he told me there was no threat” he told prosecuting counsel Mr George Birmingham SC.
“I didn’t believe for one minute that money was paid out” he said. “I reported Mr Mooney for being drunk and for abusing door staff. He concocted this tall story” he added.
“I make €250 a week, I can barely pay the mortgage. I also have a property in Spain and I drive a nice car which you people have a problem with. You drive a nice BMW yourself Mr Birmingham” Mr Kelly said.
“I would suggest you are a significant fundraiser of the IRA and you and your seniors have thrown Mr Clare to the wolves because you are more valuable with your knowledge of bomb explosives and devices” Mr Birmingham contended.
A former superior of Mr Kelly in the army, Commandant Harry Mannion, also gave evidence today.
He told the court Mr Kelly’s conduct “would have been excellent within the confines of the engineering unit” but when asked by defence counsel Mr Finlay if Mr Kelly ever had any brushes with the senior officers, Cmdt Mannion replied “more than one, yes”.
Closing for the State prosecution, Mr Birmingham said the evidence from several witnesses supported the fact that “significant sums of money were paid over to Billy Clare and Martin Kelly” and the “circumstances were inconsistent with that of legitimate business”.
The trial concludes tomorrow before Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan at the Special Criminal Court.
