March 03, 2006 20 : 57
Three men were charged with membership and other charges at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin tonight.
The men were arrested yesterday during a Garda Special Branch investigation into the activities of the Continuity IRA in Co Wexford.
The three were Billy Phillips (45), of Harbour View, Maudlintown, Wexford, Jackie Bates (55), of Jacketstown House, Jacketstown, Drinagh, Co Wexford and Robert Kearns (31), of Redshire Road, Murrintown, Co Wexford.
All three were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on 1 March.
The were also charged with unlawful possession of 160 rounds of ammunition on the same date.
Jackie Bates was further charged with possession of a firearm without a firearms certificate at Ballycogley, Co Wexford, on 1 March.
Robert Kearns was also charged with the unlawful possession of an improvised explosive device at Redshire Road, Murrintown, on the same date.
During the20 minute hearing, members of the Special Detective Unit gave evidence of arresting the three men.
The court remanded all three in custody until Tuesday, when a bail application is expected to be heard.
[Modificato da fergus 03/03/2006 22.15]
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"Last night I nearly died,
But I woke up just in time".
Duke Special