Gardaí found an Army uniform, a forged driving licence and four CB radios while searching the home of an alleged IRA dissident, the Special Criminal Court heard today.
Mr Dermot Gannon (34) of Wellview Cresent, Mulhuddart, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to membership of the IRA, otherwise known as Óglaigh na hÉireann on October 16th 1999.
Mr Gannon, an alleged member of the dissident republican group the Continuity IRA, is the first person to be tried for membership of an illegal organisation under the 1998 Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act.
Det Garda Paul Burke told prosecution counsel Mr George Birmingham SC he found the CB radios and uniform in a press under the stairs in Mr Gannon's house. He said the uniform included two black berets, one of which was Irish Army issue.
He also found a driving licence in a press in the kitchen. The photo on the licence "didn't gel" with others he had seen on legitimate driving licences.
He also found the licence suspicious because he had known Mr Gannon for many years and had never known him to drive a car.
Mr Birmingham read a statement from the Motor Taxation Office which said the licence was a forgery.
Det Sgt Bill Hanrahan told the court Mr Gannon refused to answer questions despite being warned such action could be used as collaborating evidence under the 1998 Offences Against the State Act.
Det Sgt Hanrahan read from a memorandum of the interrogation in which he asked Mr Gannon about his association with Mr Gabriel Donohue, who was found in possession of guns and ammunition in his home.
He said Mr Gannon also refused to explain whether or not he was the leader of a Dublin IRA unit which was linked to Republican Sinn Fein. Mr Gannon also refused to answer when asked if such a unit was known as "CIRA". He also made no reply when asked if the objects seized in his house were to be used in a paramilitary operation.
Det Sgt Hanrahan said he also received no reply when he told Mr Gannon that the "CIRA" were not under ceasefire and asked if the arms and ammunition seized from Mr Donoghue were to be used for a paramilitary crime in the Republic or in Northern Ireland.
Mr Gannon also refused to reply when told: "You know you are caught. We have your guns and ammunition. Tell use what they are used for."
Mr Birmingham read from a statement by Army quartermaster Sgt Patrick Foley who said the uniform seized in Mr Gannon's house was an Army kit only available to members of the Defence Forces.
Mr Birmingham also read a statement from the Army's records office which confirmed Mr Gannon had never been a member of the permanent defence forces or of the Eastern Area FCA or Slua Muire.
Earlier Mr Patrick Gageby, for the defence, claimed Mr Gannon was deprived of his liberty during the search and asked the court to dismiss the case.
After considering the matter for some time the court ruled Mr Gannon's right to liberty had not been infringed.
The court also rejected Mr Gageby's claims the CD radios and false driving licence could not be used as collaborating evidence to an allegation of IRA membership.
Mr Justice Frederick Morris, presiding, said that the court would decide later on the significance of these objects found in the house.
The trial continues.