CIRA trial verdict due next week
The Special Criminal Court will give its verdict next week in the trial of a Limerick Republican Sinn Féin member accused of Continuity IRA membership.
Timothy King (aged 26), unemployed, of Clarina Avenue, Weston, Limerick has pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on June 19, 2003.
The court has heard that King was arrested by Special Branch detectives in a stolen car in the car park of the Coachman's Inn at Cloghran, Co Dublin.
King admitted to his counsel that he was carrying a false travel pass in the name of a dead man when he was arrested but said this was purely for getting free travel on buses in Limerick.
The court heard during the six day trial the opinion of Chief Superintendent Gerry Kelly that he believed King was a member of an illegal organisation.
King denied during seven interviews with special branch detectives while in garda custody that he was a member of an illegal organisation.
King also denied in evidence to the court that he was a member of the Continuity IRA or of any illegal organisation.
After hearing closing submissions today from Mr Paul Burns BL, prosecuting and defence counsel Ms Grainne Mc Morrow SC and Mr Michael Bowman BL, Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, said the court hoped to be in a position to give its verdict in the trial next Wednesday.
