A High Court case involving two men accused of "Real IRA" membership was held up today after legal representatives of the men refused to enter the court because of the security arrangements.
Mr Anthony Sammon, SC for the men, relayed to the court he was unhappy with the "arbitrary nature" of the searching of individuals entering the building.
Mr Sammon complained some civilians were allowed into the court without being searched while he and his team were faced with the prospect of being searched.
Mr Justice Henry Abbott said the court "has a prime concern for security of the court". He said: "How security is carried out is a matter for garda, however".
The judge adjourned the hearing until tomorrow to see if a compromise on the issue could be reached.
The two Dublin men were last night brought before a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court on charges of membership of the "Real IRA".
Mr Martin Kelly (46) of Westpark, Artane, and Mr William Clare (35) from Adare Park, Coolock, were charged with membership of an illegal organisation, namely the IRA, otherwise known as Óglaigh na hÉireann on July 29th.
When charged, both men denied from the dock that they were, or had ever been, members of any illegal organisation.
The court heard that both accused were arrested in Dublin on July 29th, 2002 under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
