A Limerick man convicted on Thursday of membership of the Continuity IRA worked in Templemore Garda training college, Dublin Castle, and banks throughout Munster, the Special Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Jailing Patrick O'Shea (54) for four years, with the final year suspended, Mr Justice Butler said the court had to take account of the gravity of the offence. It heard evidence that the Continuity IRA was the "armed and military wing of Republican Sinn Féin", of which O'Shea is a member.
O'Shea, a tiler and father of two, of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick, was one of seven men charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the IRA on December 17th, 2001. However, his six co-accused were acquitted on Thursday after the court cast doubt on the validity of Garda opinion evidence based "on confidential sources" that all seven were members of the Continuity IRA.
Yesterday the court heard evidence from Det Sgt Dan Haugh, Henry Street, Limerick, that the Continuity IRA was the "armed and military wing of Republican Sinn Féin". The organisation was formed in 1987, and was responsible for firearms and explosive offences in the North and attacks on the Northern police force, he said.
The men were arrested when a large party of armed gardaí raided a house in the Shanabooley Road area of Limerick on December 17th, 2001, and seized a note which referred to firearms, a person "wanted for knee-cap job", "shooting", and "safe house".
Mr Martin Giblin SC, defending, yesterday asked the court to accept that O'Shea's role in the Continuity IRA was "a minor" one. As a tiler, Mr O'Shea had worked in the Garda training college in Templemore, in Dublin Castle, and in banks throughout Munster. He has no previous convictions.
Mr Justice Butler said the court must have regard to the gravity of the offence and in particular to the fact that the Continuity IRA "is engaged in violence". Having taken all the factors into account - including O'Shea's age and previous good character - the appropriate sentence was four years, he concluded.
The court suspended the final year on condition that he give an undertaking not to engage in paramilitary activities upon his release, or to associate with persons involved in such activity.
Leave to appeal was refused.
The trial, which began in mid-January and concluded on April 10th, lasted 48 days, making it one of the longest in the history of the non-jury court, with estimated costs to the State of some €3 million.