Dublin man denies IRA membership
A Dublin man denied at the Special Criminal Court today that he was part of an IRA operation that gardaí foiled in September 2003.
Colm Maguire said that he had never been a member of the IRA and was not a member on September 13, 2003, when gardaí stopped a car on the Swords Road travelling northwards.
The court has heard that two rifles with telescopic sights, five mobile phones and €2,400 in cash were recovered from the car, which was put under Garda surveillance as it was driven from Co Louth to Dublin and back towards the North.
The court has been told that gardaí observed Maguire meeting the driver of the car in Dublin city centre.
It was the fifth day of the trial of Brian Quinn (aged 34), of Parkhead, Newry, Co Down, and Colm Maguire (aged 32) of Oatfield Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin, who both deny being a member of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on September 13, 2003.
The court has heard evidence from Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Kelly of his belief that the two men were members of an illegal organisation.
Maguire told his counsel Mr Michael Bowman BL that he had been asked by a friend to give directions to a man named Sean on how to get to Ross Road in Christ Church.
He said he travelled in his own car to flats at Usher St on the south quays, spoke to Sean and then drove to the Christ Church area with Sean following in his car.
He said he said that he knew nothing about any IRA operation involving the car. Quinn has denied in evidence that he was a member of an illegal organisation in September 2003.
The trial is continuing.
