Special Criminal Court trial delayed by bad weather

A trial at the Special Criminal Court was delayed on Wednesday because three of the accused were trapped in Belfast by bad weather.

Kevin Hannaway (69) of Collin Mill, Belfast is charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA.

He is accused assisting Seán Hannaway (48) of Linden Gardens, Belfast in interviewing persons involved in IRA organised criminal activities, said interviews being directly or indirectly in the furtherance of an unlawful object, at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15 on August 7th and 8th, 2015.

His co-accused Eva Shannon (60) of Oakman Street, Belfast is charged with the same offence on the same dates.

Edward O'Brien (42), of Hazelcroft Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, David Nooney (53) of Coultry Green, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and Seán Hannaway (48) of Linden Gardens, Belfast are each also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8th, 2015.

Ronan Munro SC for Kevin Hannaway said his client could not get public transport or a taxi to take him from his home in west Belfast to the train station.

Barristers for Seán Hannaway and Ms Shannon said their clients were held up for similar reasons.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy adjourned the trial until Thursday morning. None of the accused have yet been arraigned.