New remand on charge of terrorism links

A man facing a charge of directing a terrorist organisation was further remanded in custody until April 24th by the Special Criminal…

A man facing a charge of directing a terrorist organisation was further remanded in custody until April 24th by the Special Criminal Court yesterday.

Mr Michael McKevitt (51), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, was initially charged at a special sitting of the non-jury court last Friday night.

He was charged with being a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army between August 29th, 1999, and March 28th, 2001, and with directing its activities within the State between August 29th, 1999, and October 23rd, 2000.

Yesterday his counsel, Mr Stephen McCann, said the defence was not in a position to proceed with a bail application at this stage.

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Mr Justice Johnson, presiding, said no application had been made concerning documentation, and the court would consider such an application when and if it was made.

Tight security surrounded the courthouse yesterday. Mr McKevitt is the first person to be charged with directing an unlawful organisation, an offence under Section 6 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998.