Presence of military manuals 'normal', says defence council
The presence of military instruction manuals found in the bedroom of a man accused of IRA membership should be viewed as “very very normal” and nothing more than a young man’s passing interest, the Special Criminal Court heard today.
Mark Doran (aged 27), of Poachers Lock, Leighlinbridge, Carlow denies membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on October 26, 2006.
In his closing for the defence Mr Michael O’Kelly SC said there was an innocent explanation for the military instruction manuals and army clothing found in Mr Doran’s bedroom.
“Lots of young men get interested in a particular topic and they might keep material with the intention of reading it,” he said.
He also said that the bodhrans signed by IRA prisoners and a large number of Easter lilies were consistent with his political sympathies with Sinn Féin and the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
“Mr Doran is not charged with having unpopular political beliefs,” he added.
He said that while Mr Doran associated with another man convicted of IRA membership, he had freely admitted being friends with this man to gardaí.
In all, he said the evidence against Mr Doran “never rises about the question of suspicion”.
In his closing for the prosecution Mr Damien Colgan BL said the court must look to the belief evidence of Chief Supt Michael Byrnes, as well as other corroborating evidence, such as sightings of IRA members in the vicinity of Mr Doran’s flat, items found in his bedroom, and his failure to answer questions during interview.
Mr Justice John McMenamin presiding at the three-judge court reserved judgment until a later date.
