IRA accused returns to custody after surrendering bail

A Mullingar man charged with IRA membership has been returned to custody after surrendering his bail at the Special Criminal Court.

Brendan Hope (49), of Springfield Cottages, Mullingar, Co Westmeath is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on June 24th, 2015.

Mr Hope is further charged with possession of an improvised explosive device containing shotgun propellant powder and a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge at St Matthews Park, Ballymahon, Co Longford on June 24th last.

Ongoing investigations

Along with a co-accused, Mr Hope had been arrested in Co Longford in June by members of the Special Detective Unit as part of ongoing investigations into the activities of dissident republicans.

The three-judge Special Criminal Court had granted bail to Mr Hope in July.

However, his barrister, Stephen J Byrne BL, said on Monday that his client now wished to surrender his bail and he requested the return of bail monies.

The court heard bail monies usually take seven days to be returned.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding alongside Judge William Hamill and Judge Flann Brennan, remanded Mr Hope in custody to November 4th next.