Three men arrested as part of a Garda investigation into dissident republican activity in Co Donegal were charged with IRA membership at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.
Desmond Donnelly (57), of Drumall, Lisnarick, Co Fermanagh; Gerard McGarrigle (45), of Mount Carmel Heights, Strabane; and Jim Murphy were each charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on February 22nd last.
The court heard evidence that the three men were arrested last night at Letterkenny and Milford in Co Donegal on suspicion of membership of an illegal organisation.
The court remanded all three men in custody until March 4th when bail applications are expected to be made.
Two other men who were arrested as part of the same operation have been released without charge, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A sixth man in his 30s, was arrested last night and is being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act 1939 at Letterkenny Garda station.