A Co Louth man who denied two charges of Real IRA membership was convicted of one of the charges at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.
Liam Campbell,(41), a married father of two, of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth was convicted of being a member of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on October 3rd, 2000.
Campbell denied the charge but his legal team did not challenge the prosecution and made no submissions on his behalf.
Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding at the non jury court, said the court accepted the belief of Chief Supt Michael Finnegan, who is in charge of the Louth/Meath Division, that Campbell was a member of an unlawful organisation on October 3rd, 2000.
The trial of Campbell on the second membership charge continues tomorrow.