A farmer accused of illegal membership of the IRA has been refused an adjournment of his trial until the outcome of a human rights challenge.
Mr Liam Campbell (38), of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, is due to stand trial next month accused of membership of an illegal organisation - the IRA - on October 3rd, last year.
At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday his counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, sought an adjournment of the trial pending the outcome of a human rights challenge to sections of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 under which Mr Campbell is charged.
Mr Hartnett said he would be asking the High Court to declare sections of the Act unconstitutional and in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.
He said Mr Campbell was on bail in relation to the membership charge.
However, he was in custody in relation to another matter.
Mr Justice Robert Barr refused the application and the trial will go ahead in the Special Criminal Court on October 2nd as scheduled.
Mr Campbell was one of four men arrested after Special Branch detectives swooped on a hotel in Bettystown, Co Meath, last July.