Military manuals including weaponry and explosive information were found in the flat of a Carlow man accused of IRA membership, the Special Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Mark Doran (27), Poachers Lock, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, denies membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on October 26th last year.
In his opening for the prosecution, Tom O'Connell SC said gardaí searched Mr Doran's flat as part of their investigation into ongoing Real IRA activities in the Carlow area.
Among the items found were military manuals, books, DVDs, raffle tickets used during a fundraiser for the families of IRA prisoners, and two bodhráns, one with a picture of a woman with a rifle and the other with signatures from several Portlaoise prisoners.
Chief Supt Michael Byrnes also gave evidence of his belief that Mr Doran was a member of the IRA.
He told Mr O'Connell that he claimed privilege on the sources of his belief but that it was based on both Garda and non-Garda sources.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel John O'Kelly SC, Chief Supt Byrnes denied his belief was "erroneous". He said that the reason he could not identify the source of the information was because ongoing investigations could be jeopardised and people's lives would be at risk.
The trial before Mr Justice John McMenamin presiding at the three-judge court continues today.