Superintendent claims man taking photographs in IRA

A Garda chief superintendent has told the Special Criminal Court he believes a man who has admitted taking photographs of the Dublin headquarters of a number of specialist Garda units is an IRA member.

Chief Supt Kevin Donohoe of the Special Detective Unit yesterday gave evidence in the trial of Corey Mulhall (43), who was arrested in September 2012 after detectives observed suspicious activity at the Harcourt Hotel close to the Garda complex on Harcourt Square.

The Harcourt Square building is home to the Special Detective Unit, whose tasks include monitoring dissident republicans.

Mr Mulhall, of Daletree Court, Ballycullen, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on September 26th, 2012.

Chief Supt Donohoe told Vincent Heneghan, for the State, that on the basis of confidential information it was his belief Mr Mulhall was a member of the IRA on September 26th, 2012.

His belief was based solely on information that was in his possession before the current investigation.

He agreed with counsel for the defence, Deirdre Murphy SC, that he was claiming privilege over the confidential information.

Asked by Ms Murphy if the information was from a variety of sources or from one source, Chief Supt Donohoe said he was also claiming privilege on this on the basis of national security considerations, the preservation of life and the potential compromising current and future Garda investigations.

The trial continues.