THE SUSPECTED leader of the INLA in Dublin was refused bail by the Special Criminal Court yesterday after the court heard that gardaí believe he would continue to direct the activities of the terrorist organisation and attempt to procure guns and explosives if freed.
Declan Duffy, a 34-year-old native of Armagh city, with an address at Hanover Street West, Dublin, was charged last month with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish National Liberation Army, otherwise the INLA on June 22nd.
Opposing bail, Det Supt Diarmuid O’Sullivan of the Special Detective Unit said he believed that if granted bail Duffy would continue to involve himself in the activities of the INLA and in directing the activities of that organisation. “I believe that he will be involved in the procurement of firearms and explosives for that organisation. He will be involved in intimidation, the issuing of threats and extorting money to run that organisation, the INLA,” he said.
He said that Duffy had been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in 2000 for possession of firearms and false imprisonment relating to the “Ballymount bloodbath” when an INLA member was killed.
Cross-examined by Duffy’s counsel, Shane Costello, Det Supt O’Sullivan said he believed Duffy, if given bail, would continue to issue threats for the purpose of extorting money, particularly from drug dealers and other people.
He said the evidence against Duffy would be the belief of a chief superintendent that Duffy was an INLA member and that would be corroborated by his refusal to answer questions relating to his involvement in an attempt to extort money from a Cork businessman.
He said that during questioning Duffy had denied membership of the INLA but when questioned about his attendance at a house in Cork where the businessman was the target of the INLA with a view to extorting money, Duffy said he could not recall why he might have been there.
Questioned about the possibility of Duffy not turning up for his trial, the Det Supt said: “I have no worries about him absconding because he has a difficulty in leaving the country. He is wanted in two other jurisdictions.”
Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the three judge non-jury court, remanded Duffy in custody until July 31st when the case will be mentioned again.