RIRA accused in court
A alleged Real IRA man from Derry has accused the British authorities of "pulling the strings" in Ireland, when he appeared in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in Tuesday.
Gary Donnelly from Kildrum Gardens in Creggan made the comment as counsel revealed the book of evidence against Donnelly and three other Derry men charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, is still not ready.
Speaking during the brief court appearance, Donnelly claimed his continuing detention is unfair. "I believe that this is nothing more than a form of internment.
"The British in this country are pulling the strings. Any word we have is from Garda in Donegal who are not known for their integrity or honesty," he said.
Donnelly and his co-accused, Michael Gallagher, of Sackville Court, Martin Francis O'Neill, of Colmcille Court, and Patrick John McDaid, of Marlborough Street, are charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 16 March. They were arrested during an operation into the activities of dissident republicans in Donegal.
Peter Mullen, a solicitor acting for the four men, asked investigating officers if the book of evidence will be ready for the trial, which is due to start in December.
Mr. Mullen said the 42 day timescale for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to serve the documents has already passed and asked the presiding judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler to fix a date for the completion of the book.
The State solicitor, Michael O'Donovan, said he expects the Garda report within two to three weeks.
The judge remanded the men in custody to appear before the court again on 22nd July.
Meanwhile, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement in Derry will stage a protest against the detention of the four Derry men in Waterloo Place at 2.30pm on Saturday.
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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