GARDAI found 11 cases of champagne at the farm of a Co Louth man they believe is a leading member of the "Real IRA", the Special Criminal Court was told yesterday. The court heard the champagne was taken to Dundalk Garda Station and was now the subject of a joint investigation by gardai and Customs officers.
Det Supt Peter Maguire told the court he believed radios found hidden at the home of Mr Liam Campbell were being used in his capacity "as a leading officer in the IRA" and would be used in the commission of serious crime.
Det Supt Maguire said he had found similar radios being used by the "Real IRA" at a training camp uncovered in Stamullen, Co Meath and in the attempted robbery of a security van in Co Wicklow in May, 1998 when a man was shot dead.
Mr Campbell (38), a married father of two, of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, on October 3rd last.
Det Supt Maguire was giving evidence at the resumed bail application for Mr Campbell. The hearing opened last Friday, and has been adjourned until next Friday to allow the court to read notes of nine interviews conducted with Mr Campbell by gardai while he was in custody at Kells Garda Station.
Last week Det Supt Maguire said Mr Campbell played a central role in the day-to-day management, control and direction of the "Real IRA". He opposed bail for Mr Campbell.
The court has heard that gardai who searched Mr Campbell's house on October 3rd found an underground bunker with a concealed entrance through a floor in a press. Gardai found a number of items during the search of the house including two mobile phones, £2,000 stg, three walkietalkies, and binoculars.
In a car in a garage they found two paper disposable body suits, and in the garage two packets of white gloves. They also found a roll of black insulating tape, and small-bore tubing similar to tubing which has been found in the possession of people making explosives, and which can be used as booster for homemade explosives. In a shed they found a two-way CB radio and a pair of black rubber gloves.
Mr Campbell was arrested and taken to Kells Garda Station where he was questioned for a total of 16 hours.
Yesterday Det Supt Maguire told Mr Campbell's counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, that possession of radios related to clandestine activity and IRA activity.
He agreed that gardai had found 11 cases of champagne during their search of Mr Campbell's farm, but said it was not part of his investigation. He agreed with Mr Hartnett that a smuggling investigation had been initiated as a result of finding the champagne.
He said that small-bore plastic tubing found at the farm was of the same bore as is used in improvised detonating cord in conjunction with the explosive PETN/RDX. Det Supt Maguire agreed that Mr Campbell had said he used the tubing for petrol or diesel.
Mr Campbell was remanded in custody until next Friday when the bail hearing resumes.