A Garda witness in the case of a man on trial for IRA membership has denied that he and his colleagues decided to “do” him for membership, when they found no firearms in the possession of Criostóir Mac Carthaigh.
The Special Criminal Court heard that gardaí found in cars four boiler suits, cable ties, balaclavas, gloves and two knives. Five screws, which the court heard are regularly used for making pipe bombs, were found at Mr Mac Carthaigh’s home, while a bag of cable ties and a raffle ticket for the republican prisoners’ annual Easter draw were found in his car.
Det Garda Kevin Hoey said he received instructions that Mr Mac Carthaigh was travelling to an IRA fund-raiser with a group of alleged IRA members on March 28th, 2009, and that they may be in possession of firearms.
Mr Mac Carthaigh, An Gleann, Baile Phamar (Palmerstown) was subsequently charged. He denies the charge.
Under cross-examination by Diarmaid McGuinness SC, defending, Det Garda Hoey said his garda colleagues found no firearms. “Did you say to anyone, ‘no firearms have been found so we’ll have to do them for membership’?” Mr McGuinness asked.
Det Garda Hoey said that had never been said.
The trial continues.