FOUR MEN were charged at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday in connection with the discovery of a mortar in Co Louth on Tuesday and Garda investigations into the activities of the dissident terrorist group, Óglaigh na hÉireann.
Dalton McKevitt (35), of Woodbury Gardens, Dundalk, Co Louth was charged with the unlawful possession of an improvised mortar launcher and a mortar at Commons Road, Dromiskin, Co Louth on November 30th.
Niall Farrell (34), of Closhbrid, Dundalk, Co Louth was charged with the unlawful possession of a mortar launcher at Commons Road, Dromiskin, Co Louth on November 30th.
The two were also each charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on the same date.
Patrick Tierney (25), of Drumarg Park, Armagh city, Co Armagh and Patrick Gordon (22), of Newtownhamilton Road, Armagh city were each charged with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance, an improvised mortar launcher and a mortar at Commons Road, Dromiskin, Co Louth on November 30th.
The court heard that after Patrick Gordon was cautioned following his arrest he replied: “I am not a member of the IRA and was only in the car because I was scared.”
The court remanded all four men in custody until next Wednesday when bail applications are expected to be made.