A Co Wexford electrician who was arrested during a Garda operation against dissident republicans in the south-east appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday afternoon charged with membership of an illegal organisation.
Mr Conor McGrath (31), of Killellan, Castlebridge, was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on or about October 2nd last.
Chief Supt Michael Murphy told the court that Mr McGrath was initially arrested last Friday as part of a planned Garda operation.
He said he had authorised Mr McGrath's detention for a further 24 hours on Saturday after he had a conference with another senior Garda officer.
Supt Thomas Saunderson said he applied to a judge at Enniscorthy District Court on Saturday for a further 24-hour period of detention because he was satisfied as a result of information that it was necessary. The judge had granted the extra period of detention.
Mr McGrath was remanded on his own bail of £1,000 and an independent bond of £5,000 until October 27th next. Four other men and a woman arrested at the weekend were released without charge.