The case against seven suspected members of the Continuity IRA was a "Garda driven prosecution" inspired by a political agenda, a defence counsel told the Special Criminal Court yesterday.
Summing up on behalf of Mr Gerard Brommell, Mr Peter Finlay SC said the prosecution has not been brought on behalf of the people but is "perilously close to a political agenda and inspired, from time to time, by it".
Counsel said the spectre of two men, Mr Pa Byrnes and Mr Wayne Waters, both of whom were named on a note seized at a suspected meeting of the Continuity IRA "hung over this trial like two pieces of a jigsaw".
If they were the "significant figures" suggested by the prosecution, why were they not brought before the court, counsel asked.
The court has heard evidence from the accused that they were at a meeting of Republican Sinn Féin in Limerick the night they were arrested.
Earlier, in his closing speech, Mr Brendan Grehan SC dismissed the explanation of the accused that they were at a meeting of Republican Sinn Féin. Counsel told the court this was "Alice in Wonderland stuff".
Commenting on references earlier in the trial to "Dad's Army", Mr Grehan said this was to suggest that the age of the accused precluded the possibility of membership of the IRA.
Such an organisation needed people to fundraise, to deal with weapons, take care of internal discipline such as punishment beatings and organise safe houses. All of these were mentioned on the note seized at the meeting, counsel added.
If the court accepted the document was incriminating, it "throws cold water" on the suggestion this was a political meeting, Mr Grehan said.
The seven men have pleaded not guilty to a charge that on December 17th, 2001, within the State, they were members of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann.
They are Mr Des Long (62) of Shannon Banks, Limerick; Mr Patrick Kenneally (59) of Crusheen, Co Clare; Mr Patrick O' Shea (54) of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick; Mr Gerard "Ger" Brommell (43); of Rostura Crescent, Woodview Park, Limerick; Mr Robert Mc Namara (59) of St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary; Mr Joseph "Tiny" Lynch (62) of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick and Mr Christopher Dunne (28) of Donnellan Buildings, Rosbrien, Limerick.
The trial continues tomorrow.