A Garda Superintendent told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin this afternoon a search warrant was issued for a house in Limerick city where seven men accused of membership of an illegal organisation were arrested after he had briefed another senior garda in the city.
Supt Gerard Mahon said following a briefing with Supt Anthony Kennelly a search warrant under the Offences Against the State Act was issued for a house at Shanabooly Road in the Ballynanty area of the city on December 17th, 2001.
The court has heard seven men were arrested when a large party of gardai raided the house.
Prosecuting counsel Mr John Edwards SC has told the court that gardai found a note in the house which referred to firearms and had other references to a person "wanted for knee cap job" and to a "safe house". He said the unlawful organisation in the case was the Continuity IRA.
Chief Supt Gerard Kelly gave evidence earlier that in his opinion, each of the seven accused was a member of an unlawful organisation on December 17th 2001.
The seven accused 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 (58), of Crusheen, Co Clare; Mr Patrick O' Shea (54), of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick; Mr Gerard Brommell (43), of Rostura Crescent, Woodview Park, Limerick; Mr Robert Mc Namara (59), of St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary; Joseph Lynch (61), of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick and Mr Christopher Dunne (28), of Donnellan Buildings, Rosbrien, Limerick.
Cross examined by Mr Donagh Mc Donagh SC for Kenneally, Supt Mahon said that he was not present when Superintendent Kennelly signed the search warrant but he identified his signature on it.