Former leader dissociates himself from INLA

THE FORMER leader of the INLA in Dublin, Declan Duffy, yesterday publicly dissociated himself from the organisation when he pleaded…

THE FORMER leader of the INLA in Dublin, Declan Duffy, yesterday publicly dissociated himself from the organisation when he pleaded guilty to membership of an illegal organisation.

Duffy, a 35-year-old native of Armagh city and father of two, with an address at Hanover Street, Dublin, appeared at the Special Criminal Court and pleaded guilty to the charge. He walked free from the court after he was granted bail.

He admitted membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish National Liberation Army, otherwise the INLA, on June 22nd last year.

Duffy went into the witness box and was asked by his counsel Michael O'Higgins SC: "You are dissociating yourself from the group the INLA to which you have pleaded guilty to membership?"

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Duffy replied: "Yes, that's right."

Duffy also told Mr O'Higgins that he had applied to the governor of Portlaoise Prison to be moved from the INLA wing and was prepared to move to the area known as "The Basement" where a number of prisoner are kept separate from dissident republican prisoners on other landings.

During the 15 minute hearing, Duffy was arraigned by the court registrar on the membership charge and replied: "Guilty." Duffy has been in custody since he was charged with INLA membership in June last year.

He agreed to live at an address in Nicholas Street, Dublin, to abide by a curfew between 11pm and 8am and to sign on twice daily at Pearse Street Garda station.

Duffy also agreed to carry a mobile phone at all times, to give the number to the gardaí and not to use any other mobile phone.

Mr O'Higgins said Duffy did not have a passport and agreed not to apply for one. He also agreed not to associate with anyone convicted of or charged with scheduled offences, which are dealt with by the Special Criminal Court.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, presiding, with Mr Justice John MacMenamin and Judge Cormac Dunne, granted Duffy bail on his own bond of €100, two independent sureties of €10,000 and on the conditions given to the court. He was remanded on bail until May 19th when he will surrender himself at Portlaoise Prison and the court will sentence him at the end of this month.