The Five Demands

Sottoposto a cure mediche uno dei 5 arrestati nella contea di Louth per sospetta attività dissidente

Barry O’Brien, 38 anni, è apparso con un taglio sulla fronte dinnanzi alla Dublin’s Special Criminal Court. Ferite multiple a braccia e testa, collezionate durante l’arresto avvenuto lo scorso sabato nella Co. di Louth, Repubblica di Irlanda. Sette punti di sutura
Alla richiesta della difesa se fosse consapevole delle condizioni in cui versava il suo assistito, l’agente della Garda ha risposto: “Io non sono un medico, ma lui (O’Brien) è stato portato in ospedale per essere curato per le ferite riportate”.
La Corte ha poi accolto la richiesta di divulgazione del video dell’interrogatorio di O’Brien, accusato di appartenenza ad organizzazione illegale quale è l’IRA e di possesso illegale di armi. “Io non sono membro dell’IRA”, si è difeso il repubblicano.
A fargli compagnia al bancod degli imputati, altri 4 uomini: Neil Smith, accusato di appartenenza al Continuity IRA; Eamon Lennon, Paul Maguire e Des Ryan accusati di appartenenza al CIRA e di possesso di fucili a canne mozze calibro 12.
La difesta di O’Brien ha assicurato che l’udienza di martedì 17 agosto, sarà mirata a stabilire l’innocenza di Barry O’Brien e ad ottenere il rilascio su cauzione.

Dissident suspect ‘injured’ during arrest (U TV)
One of five men charged over alleged dissident activities spent seven hours in hospital being treated for injuries after being arrested by gardai, his lawyer has claimed.
Barry O’Brien, 38, sported a cut on his forehead as he was brought before Dublin’s Special Criminal Court charged with being a member of the Continuity IRA and possessing a 12 gauge sawn-off shotgun.
His solicitor James McGuill told the non-jury court that O’Brien, of Oaktate, Stonetown, Dundalk, Co Louth, spent seven hours in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital with head and arm injuries that required stitches after gardai arrested him during the swoop in Co Louth on Sunday.
Mr McGuill asked the prosecuting garda if he was aware his client suffered concussion and very pronounced injuries to his arms, forehead and the back of his head.
The Detective Garda replied: “I am not a medical person but he (O’Brien) was brought to hospital to be treated for his injuries.”
The three-judge court granted a request from Mr McGuill to release the video tape of the garda interview with O’Brien.
The court heard that when O’Brien was formally charged with being a member of an unlawful organisation, namely the IRA, and the unlawful possession of a firearm, he replied: “I am not a member of the IRA.”
His solicitor said his client would be pleading not guilty and that an application would be made for bail and legal aid during the next hearing.
O’Brien was among five men brought before the court over the swoop on Tuesday.
Neil Smith, 32, of Tubberfinn, Donore, Drogheda, was charged with membership of the Continuity IRA; Eamon Lennon, 34, of Drumganny, Iniskeen, Co Monaghan, was accused of being a member of the Continuity IRA and possessing a sawn-off 12 gauge shotgun; Paul Maguire, 24, of Drumleek South, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was charged with the unlawful possession of a 12 gauge sawn-off shotgun; and 53-year-old Des Ryan, of Tubberfin, Donore, Drogheda, was accused of being a member of the Continuity IRA and unlawfully possessing the same style of shotgun.
Six vehicles, guns and ammunition and components of an explosive device were seized in follow-up raids in counties Louth and Monaghan. The haul is being examined by ballistics and forensics experts.
The three-judge court remanded all the men in custody to appear before the court again next Tuesday.