A Co Meath man appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court yesterday on charges connected with the ongoing investigation into the `Real IRA'. Mr Patrick McNally (41), of The Rock, Trim, was refused bail by Judge William Hamill and remanded in custody until today's sitting of Castleblayney District Court.
Mr McNally was charged with handling a motor vehicle to the value £16,000 between March 19th and April 2nd this year, while knowing the vehicle to be stolen. Det Garda Kieran King opposed bail due to the seriousness of the charges which he said were part of a wider ongoing investigation into the `Real IRA'. He was also concerned that Mr McNally might attempt to interfere with witnesses.
Mr Will Fennelly, instructed by Mr Micheal Corry, had sought bail stating that Mr McNally had no history of previous convictions nor had he previously come to the attention of the Garda.