Trial of alleged Real IRA man to begin today
The trial of an alleged leading member of the Real IRA is due to begin later this morning in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
Liam Campbell, of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged with membership of an illegal organisation.
Mr Campbell was first arrested and charged in October 2000, but was granted bail, only to be rearrested along with three others in a hotel in Bettystown, Co Meath last July.
In a previous court appearance, gardai said he was involved in the daily management, direction and control of the Real IRA.
Mr Campbell has already failed in a legal bid to have his trial adjourned while the High Court considers his lawyer’s request to have certain sections of the 1998 Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act declared unconstitutional.
This legislation was introduced after the Omagh bombing to make it easier for Gardai to prosecute suspects.
The act gave Gardai greater powers of arrest and granted them longer periods of detention, while also legislating for the creation of the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
