‘Hooded Man’ who allegedly aided IRA served book of evidence

A book of evidence has been served on Belfast man Kevin Hannaway, one of a group known as the "Hooded Men", who is awaiting trial at the Special Criminal Court for allegedly assisting the IRA.

Mr Hannaway (68) and four co-accused were arrested in August last year as part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity in the Dublin Region, led by the garda Special Detective Unit, Emergency Response Unit and Crime and Security Branch.

He was one of a group of men detained by British security forces during the troubles who are seeking revision of a controversial 1978 judgement of the European Court of Human Rights, which said their treatment was “inhuman and degrading” but was not torture.

Mr Hannaway, of Collin Mill, Belfast, is charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, namely with Seán Hannaway, assisting in interviewing persons involved in IRA organised criminal activities, said interviews being directly or indirectly in the furtherance of an unlawful object, namely to find out if information was disclosed to gardaí, at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15 on August 7th and 8th last.

Rendering assistance

His co-accused Eva Shannon (59) of Oakman Street, Belfast is charged with the same offence, rendering assistance to the IRA with both Kevin and Sean Hannaway, at the same address on the same dates.

Edward O’Brien (41), of Hazelcroft Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 had also been charged with the same offence. However, today/yesterday (Wed) that charge was withdrawn by the DPP and Mr O’Brien was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8th, 2015.

David Nooney (52) of Coultry Green, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and Seán Hannaway (47) of Linden Gardens, Belfast are each also charged with membership of the IRA on August 8th, 2015.

Michael Bowman SC, representing Mr O’Brien, told the court that counsels will need two to three weeks to consider the book of evidence.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding with Judge Alison Lindsay and Judge Flann Brennan, remanded the accused on continuing bail until June 28th, when the case is listed for mention again.