Trial of Cork man accused of IRA membership adjourned

The Special Criminal trial of a Cork man charged with membership of the IRA has been adjourned.

Kevin Power (38) of Railway Street, Passage West, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on December 19th, 2011.

Mr Power, who was granted bail in May 2013, was due to stand trial at the non-jury court on Wednesday.

Mr Vincent Heneghan BL, for the State, told the court that there was an application for an adjournment.

Counsel for the accused man, Mr Paul Coffey SC, said the matter was flagged in correspondence last week and the accused understood the reasons for the adjournment sought and was consenting to that application.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler said the matter would be put in for mention on April 14th next, and added that the court wanted to be addressed on a point of principle raised by the State seeking an adjournment in the case.