Two charged with IRA membership

The trial of two Dublin men accused of membership of the IRA has opened at the Special Criminal Court.

The trial of two Dublin men accused of membership of the IRA has opened at the Special Criminal Court.

Derek Palmer (56), Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, and Joe Clarke (40), Geraldstown Woods, Santry, have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation on July 14th, 2011.

Vincent Heneghan, prosecuting, said there would be evidence that gardaí received a 999 call about a large number of men wearing balaclavas standing outside a house on Hampton Green, Balbriggan, on the same night that the men were arrested.

The trial continues in front of presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge William Hamill.