Forfeit of €20,000 surety over man on IRA charges

The Special Criminal Court has ordered the forfeiture of €20,000 offered as an independent surety for the bail of a man charged…

The Special Criminal Court has ordered the forfeiture of €20,000 offered as an independent surety for the bail of a man charged with IRA membership and firearms offences.

Eamon Lennon (35), Inniskeen, Co Monaghan, was charged with the possession of a firearm and membership of an unlawful organisation on August 8th, 2010. His bail conditions forbid him to leave the jurisdiction but he was arrested in Northern Ireland and failed to appear before a scheduled court sitting in Dublin.

Tara Burns, for the State, told the court the independent surety had been offered by Julia Gonnally, Dundalk, Co Louth, who was notified of the dangers should Lennon fail to keep the conditions.

Mr Justice Garret Sheehan, presiding, said the court was satisfied that a case had been made to surrender the surety and ordered that the €20,000 be forfeited to the State.